Flashback McMullan strike bags St Mirren a point
With St Mirren without a game over the weekend due to the international break, we’ve looked back at a previous clash with Livingston in August, 2015 ahead of the Buddies clash with the Lions this Saturday in Paisley.
St Mirren were for the second time in five days left frustrated by Livingston whose physical approach denied Saints a first league win of the season.
After a bruising League Cup defeat this was another game full of strong challenges and again not without controversy.
Saints boss Ian Murray started with new signings Andy Webster and on-loan Aberdeen attacker Lawrence Shankland.
The Buddies made the perfect start on four minutes when Paul McMullan ran onto Shankland’s pass before keeping his composure to place the ball home.
It was a neat move and a great leftfooted finish and display of coolness under pressure from the 19-year-old on-loan Celtic attacker.
Livingston went close when Craig Sives, who was up from the back, headed narrowly wide of Jamie Langfield’s post.
In the 12th minute the West Lothian side’s Bulgarian midfielder Spas Georgieu got himself into space but blasted over from 18 yards.
At the other end, Scott Agnew sent in a 20th minute cross and Webster rose above the Livingston defence, but Darren Jamieson saved.
In the early stages, Shankland experienced a couple of rugged challenges, with Livingston defender Sives man-marking him.
Just like in the previous cup tie, Livingston employed tactics involving tough challenges and disruption of play to stop Saints getting into their rhythm.
Saints saw their great start evaporate when Jack Baird caught Marcus Hippolyte on the right of the box, while trying to make a clearance.
Liam Buchanan sent Jamie Langfield the wrong way from the spot to level the game up at 1-1 after 22 minutes.
On 29 minutes, Hippolyte incurred the wrath of the St Mirren Park crowd when he went down like a ton of bricks, claiming McMullan had caught him.
It did not appear that McMullan had made any contact, yet the 20-year-old former Brentford striker dropped down holding his face.
The big striker was soon back up again and proved to be a danger, with Webster getting in a vital block on his 18-yard shot.
Hippolyte again showed what a handful he can be when he rifled in a ball that Langfield dived to save, on 37 minutes.
Some fancy footwork from Shankland, on 40 minutes, deserved a goal but he hit the left post with the left-foot shot.
It was hard luck on the debutant after he had turned at pace onto Stephen Mallan’s pass and the keeper had been beaten.
McMullan teed up Jim Goodwin on 55 minutes, but the Irishman sent his 22-yard shot over the bar.
Some of the Buddies fans made it clear they thought it was wrong to sub Goodwin, as he was replaced by Lewis Morgan on 70 minutes.
Boss Murray sent on subs Steven Thompson and Alan Gow as he urged his side to push for a late winner.
St Mirren finished the stronger side, as Livingston appeared content to take a draw for their first point of the season.
There were a few goal-mouth scrambles and a couple of near things late on for the hosts.
Both Gow and Webster had late attempts which could have wrapped up all three points.
But there was also a late scare for Saints, with Jordan White sending his shot wide of Langfield’s goal from a great position.