Buddies out in the cold
any eagerness, but because they got the time wrong.
But the previously uninspired Livingston didn’t lack a cutting edge as five minutes after the restart as a flowing move with some intricate one-touch passing finally created enough room for Scott Pittman to lash a shot across the body of Danny Rogers,and into the back of the net.
St Mirren were teetering and the Lions took the lead on the hour mark thanks to a superb run down the right flank by Declan Gallagher.
The defender’s cross evaded everybody but Pittman, but the midfielder’s effort from the edge of the box was charged down. The rebound fell conveniently to Ryan Hardie, who smashed his effort into the roof of the net.
Substitute Jack Mcmillan was unlucky to hit the bar with a looping header as the home side pushed further, but the victory was cemented with two minutes remaining as Rogers could only parry a Pittman shot into the path of substitute Craig Sibbald for the easiest finish of the striker’s career.
Victorious manager Gary Holt was quick to deny a half-time diatribe was the catalyst for the turnaround.
“The days are gone when you can have a rant and a rave. You have to coax the best out of them,” he said. LIVINGSTON:
(5-3-2) L Kelly 6; D Gallagher 7, C Halkett 8, A Lithgow 8, R Lamie 5 (J Mcmillan 45, 5), S Lawless 7; S Byrne 6, S Pittman 9, K Jacobs 7; D Menga 6 (C Sibbald 74, 4), R Hardie 6 (J Hamilton 67, 4). Unused subs – R Stewart (Gk), N Cadden, B Burns, S Lawson.
ST MIRREN:
(5-3-2) D Rogers 5; A Jones 7, A Ferdinand 4 (C Smith 70, 4), J Baird 6, L Hodson 6, S Mcginn 5; A Hammill 6, E Erhahon 7, R Edwards 6; P Mcginn 5 (M Willock 10, 5), S Jackson 6. Unused subs – D Lyness (Gk), I Mcshane, C Mcpherson, C Breadner, A Eckersley.