Martindale stakes a claim for top job as Livi end Saints’ run
Livingston caretaker David Martindale did his chances of landing the manager’s job on a full-time basis no harm as his side twice took the lead to defeat St Johnstone.
The 2-1 victory at Mcdiarmid Park, thanks to goals from Jon Guthrie and Scott Robinson cancelling out Chris Kane’s leveller, saw Livi leapfrog Saints into seventh in the Premiership table and maintain Martindale’s 100% record in charge.
It also ended the Perth side’s club record 11-game unbeaten run and saw Callum Davidson’s troops drop to ninth.
After making it three wins from three at the helm, Martindale joked: “If I’m not hired tomorrow I’m resigning!
“I’m only kidding. My situation hasn’t changed – if the club want me, I’d be delighted to do it.
“If the club are looking for somebody else then fair enough but, obviously, the results help.
“I’m delighted. I thought the boys were magnificent. Their application, attitude and desire was excellent coming here for a difficult game.”
Livi were unchanged from last weekend’s win over Dundee United, while Saints welcomed the goal hero from the draw at Celtic, Kane, and captain Jason Kerr into the starting line-up.
Saints endeavoured to play football against the relentless pressing and harrying of the visitors in the first period but with little joy.
Right wing-back Danny Mcnamara and midfield maestro Ali Mccann linked up on the far touchline to good effect, while the same could be said of Scott Tanser and David Wotherspoon on the other side.
However, the final ball was often lacking. The Lions, meanwhile, were direct and looking for a break of the ball off lone striker Matej Poplatnik in a physical contest.
Wide man Josh Mullin showed his quality in flashes, firing in dangerous balls from the right for Martindale’s men – one of which Scott Pittman should’ve diverted home.
The best chances of the first half fell to the hosts, however. The Perth side saw Kane come closest, hitting the bar from a Wotherspoon corner.
The Canada international had an opportunity of his own moments later on 33 minutes but curled narrowly wide of Max Stryjek’s left-hand post.
Three minutes after the restart, Livi took the lead against the run of play. Guthrie rose highest to get on the end of Mullin’s deep free-kick and cleverly nod his third of the campaign beyond Zander Clark.
Saints weren’t behind for long, though, as Kane bundled home inside the box to make it two goals in as many games on 54 minutes.
Mcnamara and Wotherspoon exchanged passes down the right before the latter fired dangerously into the six-yard box. Saints forward Kane attacked the ball and it ricocheted in off Stryjek.
The goalmouth action sparked what was an insipid encounter until then into life, with the home side in the ascendancy.
However, once again, Livi flipped the script and got themselves back in the lead on 65 minutes. On the counter-attack, Mullin picked out sub Robinson with a scooped pass and he calmly slotted under an onrushing Clark for his first Premiership strike of the season.
Clark had to be sharp soon after to deny Jack Fitzwater, who fired in a vicious drive on the turn in the box.
Saints huffed and puffed as boss Callum Davidson threw on Callum Hendry and Guy Melamed in an attempt to get back in the game.
However, it was to no avail.