John Robertson’s side were deserved winners, bettering Saints in every area of the park, with goals from Liam Fox and Scott Mitchell sealing victory. “We created nine chances in the first half and I was worried when we didn’t take them,” said the manager, “but we got there in the end.”
The Lions monopolised opportunities in the opening half-hour, with the excellent Graham Dorrans wreaking havoc on the home defence. Indeed, the striker could have had a hat-trick had his finishing been sharper.
St Johnstone were, frankly, awful in the first half, although Andy Lawrie’s overhead kick had Craig Wight, the visiting keeper, at full stretch. Yet, after being pummelled, they should have been in front at the interval when Jason Scotland was in on goal but shot wide.
Veteran Livingston defender Steven Tweed denied Scotland with a block on the line in the 54th minute, before the Saints had a solid penalty claim turned down when James McPake appeared to handle the ball. That let-off gave Livingston heart and they took the lead in 68 minutes as Steven Craig’s header fell perfectly for Fox, who struck low past Bryn Halliwell.
That lead did not last long, though, as the Perth men — eager to protect a 15-month unbeaten record at their own place — restored parity with Martin Hardie’s header. However, that miserly home run was ended with six minutes to go when Halliwell blundered into Craig while searching for Dorrans’ cross, leaving Mitchell to tap in. “We can’t continue to lose soft goals,” groaned Coyle.
Advertisement
Star Man: Graham Dorrans (Livingston)
Player ratings. St Johnstone: Halliwell 3, Lawrie 6, McManus 6, Anderson 6, Stanic 6, McLaren 6, Hardie 7, Mensing 6, Milne 6 (MacDonald 70min, 5), Scotland 6, Sheerin 6
Livingston: Wight 6, Thomson 6, Tweed 7, MacKay 6, McPake 6, Mitchell 6, Dorrans 8 (Davidson 85min, 4), Walker 6, Craig 6 (Shields 85min, 4), Hamill 6 (Snodgrass 79min, 4), Fox 7
Scorers: St Johnstone: Hardie 74 Livingston: Fox 68, Mitchell 85 Booked: James McPake 75 Referee: Stuart Dougal Attendance: 2,766