Tommy’s comeback stars Liv again after Celts disaster

Goalkeeper Zander Clark was the hero as he celebrated signing a new long- term deal in style, producing a last-minute penalty save from Livingston hitman Lyndon Dykes.

The Perth side had looked dead and buried at the interval as they trailed 2- 0 after goals from Scott Pittman and Stevie Lawless.

And it seemed more misery was in store after their 7- 0 hiding by Celtic last weekend.

However, Wright’s men rallied after the break with Matty Kennedy pulling one back before supersub Callum Hendry snatched a point with eight minutes left.

Wright said: “It was a hard week. It was like a morgue here on Monday. There’s a crematorium out the back here but I actually said, ‘ Who’s granny has died?’

“I am pleased to have come back from 2- 0 down and we showed a lot of character in abundance.

“We were poor in the first half and had no belief. There were too many people taking the easy option to go back all the time. We should have had a penalty. It is one of them, natural or unnatural (handball).

“I was told at the meeting if it is above your shoulder it is unnatural and Marvin Bartley’s arm was clearly above his shoulder.

“Our players said Livingston’s was soft but that’s what the keeper got his new contract for.”

Livi took the lead in 13 minutes when Aymen Souda fed Stevie Lawless whose low cross was swept high into the net by Scott Pittman.

The forward was denied a second on 22 minutes when he fired over from eight yards.

The b a l l looked destined for the roof of the net until Clark produced a stunning one-handed save to tip it wide.

Livi doubled their lead f ive minutes before the break when Pittman found Lawless at the edge of the penalty area and he drove a fine left-foot shot into the bottom right hand corner.

But St Johnstone threw themselves a lifeline on 55 minutes as they pulled one back.

Michael O’Halloran pounced on a stray back- pass by Keaghan Jacobs and the winger ran through on goal before squaring to Kennedy who walked the ball into the net.

Saints levelled on 82 minutes when Hendry slammed home after Chris Kane’s effort had been saved by keeper Ross Stewart. There was time for another twist in the tale as ref Andrew Dal las penalised Richard Foster for hi s challenge on Dykes inside the box.

The Livi striker a s s ume d the r espons i b i l i t y himself but then hit a shocking spot- kick which Clark easily saved to preserve a point for Saints.

ANDREW DALLAS:

Totally inept and weak display. There’s not really much more that can be said about the controversial whistler.

He really is one of the worst in Scotland and how Livi’s Marvin Bartley got away with smashing the ball off Saints Danny Swanson and not being carded defied belief. 4