But Holt warns Livi their slot’s in danger

Callum Hendry’s late goal took St Johnstone to within a point of Hibs as they hunt down a top-six place.

But Livingston gaffer Gary Holt fears his fifth-placed side could end up missing the boat if they turn in more displays like this.

Hendry’s winner was the only real moment of quality in a tousy 90 minutes.

The 22-year- old has become a big player for Tommy Wright’s side this term, with his goals fuelling their charge up the table.

A quick glance at Hendry’s stats reveal his goals have won a massive 13 points for Saints – a big improvement for a player who struggled during a loan spell with Brechin last season.

Hendry’s ninth goal of the season has teed up Saints for a huge clash with the Hibees at Easter Road next Saturday.

But if Saints are eying up a place in the top six, Holt has warned his Livi team they can’t get complacent at this point in the season regardless of how good their campaign has been up until now.

The Lions held Celtic to a 2-2 draw in midweek to continue their incredible run of home form but crashed to another loss on the road.

And Holt said: “There are three games left ( before the spl it), wherever we end up we’ll end up.

“The manner of the defeat is the disappointing thing.

“We are chasing to stay in the league, some people think you can’t be critical because we have had a good season. But if we don’t win the next three games we might not be in the top six.” While Holt accepted Hendry’s goal was a rare moment of quality on a poor pitch, he was irked at the manner in which it was conceded.

“You can’t come here, do all that work and leave with nothing,” he said. “St Johnstone got too easily down the side of us and ultimately we didn’t defend it. It was a good finish but poor defending.

“We are walking away thinking it should be a 0- 0, get a point and get away from it – I think Tommy Wright would be the same.”

In a fairly even opening period it was Livingston who would have felt they edged it in terms of the chances created.

Efe Ambrose had an effort at the back post blocked by Liam Gordon, a moment of atonement from the Saints defender.

He had been short with a header back towards goal that had allowed Steven Lawless to nick in and smash an effort that was tipped over by Zander Clark.

It had been St Johnstone who had looked the livelier of the teams in the opening exchanges with a Stevie May header from Jason Kerr’s cross bringing out a fine save from Robbie McCrorie.

In the latter stages of the opening period, though, it was Livi who looked most likely.

A Ma r v i n

Bartley throughball found Lawless but under pressure from Chris McCart he couldn’t make the most of it.

The second period was as turgid as the f irst. Clark saved from Lawless and the Livi forward fired another effort wide but there was little of note in terms of chances.

Livi made a trio of changes in the latter stages as they attempted to unlock St Johnstone’s defence.

Scott Robinson provided the first shot on target of the second period in 81 minutes but it was Saints who stunned them with the winner.

Drey Wright created the goal with a driving run down the right before unleashing a ferocious ball across the face of goal where Hendry side-footed home.

His goal woke Saints from their slumber with David Wotherspoon almost doubling their advantage with a fierce effort from the edge of the box in the final minutes.

But Hendry’s strike was enough to seal three significant points.