Livingston 1 St Johnstone 1: Glenn Middleton’s strike seals Saints play-off spot and avoids automatic drop
ST JOHNSTONE were cup final specialists last season.
Callum Davidson’s men will need to show their big-game mentality again after they were effectively condemned to a relegation play-off.
This draw and Dundee’s defeat at St Mirren means the Saints have almost certainly avoided automatic relegation.
There would have to be a six-point and eight-goal swing in the final two games for the Perth side to finish bottom.
That’s surely not happening - but Saints ARE now preparing for a two-legged play-off final against Arbroath or Inverness.
It’s far removed from last season’s Hampden glory - but this upcoming final is arguably even more important.
Relegation just 12 months on from Scottish Cup and League Cup glory is unthinkable.
Yet it is now a reality and Davidson’s players will have to dig deep to protect their Premiership status.
They thought they were getting all three points at Livi when sub Glenn Middleton headed in the opener in 76 minutes.
But Livi kept going and Jack Fitzwater scrambled in the equaliser to leave Saints gutted.
Most read in Football
They will need to wait a few days to officially dodge the drop but there will be more drama to come in the play-offs.
Davidson saw the good and bad sides to his team in the 1-1 draw and they will need to up their game against the Championship team they face.
Livi came into this one in top form and Davie Martindale named the same line-up from the Hibs win last weekend.
Saints boss Davidson made three changes after a damaging St Mirren loss in Perth.
Dan Cleary, Cammy MacPherson and Stevie May came in for Tom Sang, Ali Crawford and Nadir Ciftci.
Saints were awful against the Buddies at McDiarmid Park last weekend and Davidson expected a big reaction.
And he almost got it inside the first 20 seconds when Melker Hallberg picked out Callum Hendry with a cutback.
The Saints striker met the cross first-time but his shot flew over the bar from eight yards.
It was a major escape for Livi and they almost made the most of it when Joel Nouble created a yard of space inside the box.
But the striker got his finish all wrong and it flew wide of Zander Clark’s goal.
The Verdict
By David Friel
LIVINGSTON: Ivan Konovalov 7, Nicky Devlin 7, Jack Fitzwater 7, Ayo Obileye 7, Morgan Boyes 7, Jason Holt 7, Sean Kelly 7 (Sebastian Soto, 80, 3), Scott Pittman 7, Odin Bailey 7 (Forrest, 63, 5), Joel Nouble 7, Andrew Shinnie 7 (Caleb Chukwuemeka, 77, 2).
ST JOHNSTONE: Zander Clark 7, Dan Cleary 7, Liam Gordon 7, Jamie McCart 7, Shaun Rooney 7, Murray Davidson 7, Melker Hallberg 6, Cammy MacPherson 6, Callum Booth 5 (James Brown, 68, 6), Callum Hendry 7, Stevie May 6 (Glenn Middleton, 59, 6).
MAN OF THE MATCH
NICKY DEVLIN must be a manager’s dream. The Livingston captain is Mr Consistent for Davie Martindale and again put in a great shift for the Lions. He defended well and got forward as much as possible from the right-back position. Scott Pittman was also good on his 300th Livi appearance, while Murray Davidson was solid in the middle of the park for Saints. Zander Clark also showed his quality and Saints will need him in the play-offs.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
WILLIE COLLUM was booed off at half-time by both sets of fans after an erratic first-half display. Saints boss Callum Davidson also had words with the whistler, who booked Andrew Shinnie and Callum Hendry in the first half. Murray Davidson also got a yellow in the second half for a late challenge but this game was played in a decent spirit, with both sides refusing to hold back.
MEN IN THE DUGOUT
CALLUM DAVIDSON wanted a reaction from his players after a dire loss to St Mirren and this was definitely an improvement. But their place in the relegation play-off was all but confirmed and the McDiarmid Park gaffer will need to fire his team up for two massive games. Livi boss Davie Martindale wanted a third successive post-split win but had to be content with a point. He will be pleased at their spirit to get the draw in the closing minutes.
May put in the work next to Hendry and had a shot saved by Livi keeper Ivan Konovalov in four minutes.
Both sides were full of commitment but Andrew Shinnie took it too far when he picked up a yellow for a foul on Cleary.
Livi fans were unhappy with Willie Collum’s decision but Saints also had issues with the whistler.
Boss Davidson took his complaints too far and earned a stern lecture at the side of the pitch.
Saints striker Hendry was also raging with ref Collum after being booked for a late tackle.
There was very little goalmouth action for a long spell but Odin Bailey had a shot blocked by Liam Gordon in 32 minutes.
Shinnie was next to have a go for Livi after some nice footwork led to an opening inside the box.
But the forward was leaning back and his shot flew high and wide as Saints escaped.
Livi also had a scare when May worked his way into a decent position on the edge of the box.
The Saints hitman tried to guide his shot into the corner but it curled past the post.
Hallberg then had a free-kick blocked before the break as Saints continued to look for the opener.
Livi had a half-hearted penalty claim turned down when Nicky Devlin tumbled in the box early in the second half.
BETTING SPECIAL - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS AND FREE BETS
But under-fire ref Collum was perfectly placed to make the call and correctly ignore the pleas.
Bailey was looking lively for Livi and was sent clean through in 56 minutes from Ayo Obileye’s raking pass.
The Lions winger just had to pick his spot but instead he fired straight at Saints keeper Clark.
The Scotland squad man deserved credit for the save - but Bailey should have scored.
Hendry had a snapshot saved by Konovalov just after the hour mark.
Livi threw on Alan Forrest for Bailey and he created a good opening in 66 minutes.
His cross was aimed for Nouble and Clark was relieved to see it fly wide.
Middleton came on for May in 69 minutes - and grabbed the opener seven minutes later.
James Brown, who also came off the bench, cut inside and whipped in a brilliant cross to the back post.
Middleton peeled off into space and was able to finish off with a header.
Read More On The Sun
Saints were heading for a much-needed win - but Livi never give in and grabbed a point.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Clark made a stunning save from Scott Pittman but Fitzwater reacted quickest to stab in the rebound.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page