League Cup winners St Mirren kept the feelgood factor flowing this festive season after a narrow Scottish Premiership victory over Livingston gave them a third consecutive win.

It means the West Lothian side remain rooted to the bottom of the table, without a win since matchday two in early August.

After spurning a succession of chances, and having a goal controversially ruled out after VAR review, the deadlock was finally broken late in the game when substitute Mikael Mandron steered in Declan John’s fine cross.

Mandron had a chance right at the end to double up but Jerome Prior saved his powerful shot well and also made another crucial late save.

The victory was no more than St Mirren deserved after Johah Ayunga thought he had scored an excellent team goal, only for VAR to call Chris Graham across to the monitor.

Rather than sticking with his on-field decision, the referee agreed Danny Finlayson had been caught by Dan Nlundulu’s arm before he crossed.

It was the latest frustration for two-goal Hampden hero Ayunga who could – arguably should – have had a first-half hat-trick.

His first effort was cleared off the line before Prior thwarted him one-on-one. The striker also headed over when well placed to score.

Livingston showed some decent signs before the break in a fluid 3-4-3 formation but fell out of the game the longer it went on and barely tested Shamal George in the opposing goal.

David Martindale’s side will have to find far more of a clinical edge if they’re to get away from last spot.

For his opposite number Stephen Robinson, with silverware in the trophy cabinet, a very merry Christmas lies ahead if his side can keep up this momentum.

Livingston manager David Martindale: “Big moment in the game, we don’t defend it well enough and we lose 1-0. It’s kind of been the story of the majority of the season. We’ve underperformed in terms of the points return in comparison to performances.

“I don’t think we dominated a lot of the game. We defended, for the majority, our box really well. There’s one moment they get in behind us and that leads to the goal.”

Match report: Kheredine Idessane

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