ROBBO’S IN DREAMLAND
Saints boss: Top 6 would be my high point
Stephen Robinson hopes he’s on the cusp of a career high after Saints shot to within four points of third.
Two Mark O’Hara penalties and Tony Watt’s first goal for the club saw Livi leapfrogged and the Buddies claim fifth.
Robinson’s men travel to ailing Hearts next seeking a victory that would put them within a point of the Jambos.
This commanding success was never in doubt from the opening minute as the away side paid the penalty for a firsthalf handball horror show.
Twice VAR intervened to award spot-kicks for Saints and Robinson said: “To be sitting in f ifth after 30 games is an incredible achievement.
“That’s credit to the players and I’m desperate for t hem to f inish of f the season and get w ha t they deserve. Top s ix would probably be my biggest achievement. I’ve got to cup f inal s , coached at the
Euros, f inished third and got into Europe. But with what’s been going on here in terms of the finances and cuts I’d be delighted if we could do it.
“What never gets recognised is the high level of quality that the players have. The first half was fantastic. Our energy and our press were excellent. We got two penalties from putting the ball into areas and making them defend. “We weathered a f ive- minute spell start of the second half and I didn’t think they troubled us too much.” Saints piled forward from the off and within 20 seconds forced the decisive moment in the game. Luiy i de Lucas handled a Ryan Strain cross and the penalty call looked obvious. John Beaton waved play on but at VAR control Gavin Duncan had other ideas.
A lengthy delay ensued before Beaton took a second look and pointed to the spot.
Shamal George slipped on his line before he could spring right but he’d have toiled to stop O’Hara’s confident kick.
Curtis Main and strike partner Watt gave Livi’s back line more than they could handle in the first half and teamed up for the second.
Main’s dink was collected coolly by Watt who cleverly evaded George by dragging the ball round him and tucking home from close range.
A reply from Livi could have made it interesting but Joel Nouble headed weakly over.
Andrew Shinnie’s shot that cracked off both bar and post was ruled not to have crossed the line. Jason Holt was penal ised for hand bal l following yet another Beaton trot to the touchline for a VAR check. Up stepped O’Hara to slam home his seventh spot- kick of the season and 10th goal overall.
Livi were much livelier at the start of the second period after getting direct to Nouble and Kurtis Guthrie. But they found Trevor Carson in inspired form.
The keeper palmed away sub Cristian Montano’s header within seconds of the restart.
And with six minutes left Carson’s superb reactions found a fingertip to force a Stephen Kelly drive over.
In between, Nicky Devlin scraped the outside of the post and Nouble scuffed another good chance over in an unusually tepid Livi display.
Livi’s VAR nightmare was complete when a quick check denied Kelly a penalty when he claimed a trip.
Saints’ defence, marshalled superbly by captain Joe Shaughnessy, held firm.
Robinson added: “A special mention for the back three, especially Joe.
“Even when he’s not been playing regularly he can still put in performances like that.”