SAINTS SLIP-UP
Livi’s never-say-die spirit leaves Perth men facing play-off
THE league table shows that it’s not technically confirmed — but barring a footballing miracle, St Johnstone can crank up their preparations for a Premiership play-off final against Arbroath or Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Dundee were a matter of minutes from being relegated with Saints leading at Livingston before Jack Fitzwater’s 90th-minute equaliser for the Lions ensured it ended all square in West Lothian.
The gap between the Perth men and Dark Blues is six points with two games remaining. Callum Davidson’s side are also seven goals better off and they now can’t finish in 10th spot.
And so, with their fate heading towards a play-off, Saints can now continue with studying their potential opponents — and perhaps learn a few lessons from a campaign that has gone downhill dramatically after last season’s sensational cup double.
As the lowest scorers in the top flight, St Johnstone — with 23 goals — need to add a killer touch and inspire some confidence.
Substitute Glenn Middleton’s goal 14 minutes from time put the visitors on track to seal the win. But defensively they were shaky again and were punished by David Martindale’s side.
It certainly wasn’t a cautious start to the game and there could have been three goals inside the opening four minutes.
With just 20 seconds on the clock, Saints broke down the right, with Melker Hallberg delivering but Callum Hendry diverting his effort from 10 yards over the bar.
Up the other end, Joel Nouble curled an attempt wide from inside the box before Livi goalkeeper Ivan Konovalov got down to hold Stevie May’s shot after the St Johnstone striker had burst through on goal.
That lively spell proved to be a rare treat in a game that became scrappy, with referee Willie Collum’s whistle playing a starring role.
Eventually, Livingston threatened again just after the half-hour mark when Odin Bailey was fed by Nicky Devlin in the box, however, his shot was deflected behind.
May thought he had given St Johnstone the lead eight minutes before the break, but his effort from the edge of the box dipped just wide of the far post.
Livingston should have been ahead 10 minutes after the restart when defender Ayo Obileye launched a ball forward. On-loan Birmingham City attacker Bailey raced through on goal one-on-one with Saints goalkeeper Zander Clark, who stuck out a boot to divert the ball clear and save his team.
‘Odin Bailey needs to score with his chance,’ said Livingston manager Martindale. ‘Zander Clark was off his line and he just has to lift it, but he hits it first time when it was on to lift it.’
Alan Forrest replaced Bailey and could have scored within moments of his arrival. But the winger — expected to leave Livingston in the summer — curled an effort just wide of the far post after cutting in from the left.
Finally, this dreary game had an opening goal with 14 minutes remaining. Saints’ substitutes combined when James Brown swung in a cross from the left and Middleton met it at the back post to nod the ball past Konovalov.
But the visitors could not hold out for the win. How fitting that Livingston should rescue a point with a scrappy goal, given the nature of this contest.
Jason Holt’s cross from the right was flicked towards goal by Scott Pittman, making his 300th appearance for Livi. Clark pulled off a stunning save to deny him, but Fitzwater was in the right place to scramble the ball into the net from close range.
Saints could have won it in stoppage time when Hendry found himself with a free run at goal. But, with only Konovalov to beat, he fired straight at the keeper.
‘Callum’s chance at the end was one of those,’ said Davidson. ‘He kept running in the 90th minute and it says a lot about the players.’
Martindale, meanwhile, was relieved to give the home fans something to cheer in a match that failed to sparkle.
‘The game had 0-0 written all over it all day long — and if that had happened, I’d have been worried that the fans would be asking for their money back,’ added the Livi boss, whose team sit seventh.
‘We don’t defend the back post area and concede. I’m looking to find some positives as there wasn’t much in the game. I need to credit St Johnstone, who pressed us well and limited out attempts to try and play.
‘We looked a wee bit lethargic in the first half but in the second half we started better.
‘When we lost the goal we shoved two boys up top and earned our just reward. It was a decent goal, from our point of view, and I’m happy to take the point.
‘The fans managed to see two goals, so they can’t ask for their money back now.’ LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): Konovalov; Devlin, Fitzwater, Obileye, Boyes; Holt, Pittman, Kelly (Soto 80); Bailey (Forrest 64), Nouble, Shinnie. (Chukwuemeka 77).
Subs (not used): Maley, McMillan, Lewis, Montano, Sibbald, Longridge. Booked: Shinnie.
ST JOHNSTONE (3-4-1-2): Clark; Cleary, Gordon, McCart; Rooney, Hallberg, Davidson, Booth (Brown 58); MacPherson; Hendry, May (Middleton 69).
Subs (not used): Parish, Crawford, Mahon, Bair, Ciftci, Butterfield, Sang. Booked: Hendry, Davidson.
Referee: Willie Collum.