Ross can only look on as struggling Saints crash
A fine run and cutback from Lewis Morgan found both Cammy Smith and Ross Stewart waiting inside the box but neither got a clean strike of the ball as Neil Alexander palmed behind for the side’s first corner of the evening.
Stewart then forced another save from Alexander at his near post following a neat lay- off from Smith but the experienced stopper was a match for his powerful drive.
For all their attacking intent, St Mirren still appeared to be having trouble dealing with the Livi strikeforce of Carrick and Danny Mullen on occasion.
But it would be Buchanan who was next to go close, this time with a header from a corner as the Buddies tried to crank up the pressure around the half hour mark.
And Livi’s cause wasn’t exactly helped when goal hero Dale Carrick was forced off with an injury shortly afterwards, having struggled to shake off a knock picked up earlier in the clash.
St Mirren would finish the half on the front foot, with skipper Stephen McGinn chancing his arm with a long distance lob which was easily gathered in goal.
The second half would again start in disappointing fashion for the Buddies with Stelios winding up in the book for bringing down Shaun Byrne on the edge of the box.
But the Saints were looking to get themselves back on level terms and Stewart’s cross required the decisive touch of Declan Gallagher to clear away the danger.
That would prove to be Stewart’s last involvement in the clash as he was withdrawn on the hour mark for the experienced John Sutton, with boss Jack Ross looking to freshen things up for the last half hour of action.
For all their possession, Saints were struggling to create any clear opportunities, with a distinct lack of cutting edge obvious to the home support.
Ian McShane looked to try his luck from distance with a freekick from range but found the Livi wall blocking his effort, while Lewis Morgan’s resulting run was halted in its tracks as the visitors continued to stifle the Buddies.
Alan Lithgow could have then extended the Livi lead with a header from a free- kick but couldn’t keep his effort down, despite being unmarked at the far post.
Youngster O’Keefe was brought on for Cammy Smith with 20 minutes left to play with Ross again keen to try and turn the tide in favour of his side, with Jordan Kirkpatrick the final sub to come on 10 minutes later.
And O’Keefe would come so close to being the hero with seven minutes to go, volleying goal- bound as Saints cranked up the pressure – only to see his strike blocked at the last moment as Livingston clung on to seal a crucial three points in the League Cup group stages.