A game of few chances saw its best two converted in as many minutes as Livingston earned a deserved victory at the Toni Macaroni Arena yesterday. Although it was far too early in the fixture calendar to brand this a must win, there was undoubtedly an expectation from both sides to redeem points perhaps lost unfortunately so far this season. Both had lost five matches each before the game, but many of those losses had been by a narrow score line.
It was a quiet start to the game and both outfits struggled to fashion any notable openings. Stevie May had Saints’ best efforts and went close when he directed Craig Conway’s fizzed cross towards goal, but Robby McCrorie was on hand to save.
The hosts had most of the ball but were faced with a resolute defence who didn’t provide many gaps for them to exploit. And it was Livingston’s first real opportunity that resulted in their first goal just after the half hour mark through Scott Tiffoney. Michael O’Halloran was caught on the ball inside his own half by Tiffoney with most of Callum Davidson’s side up pitch following a corner. The forward played in Alan Forrest who's effort was blocked, but Tiffoney was on hand when the ball broke to finish low across Xander Clark from inside the area.
And Livi would have their second goal in a minute quite literally moments later through Forrest. Tiffoney secured a goal and assist in quick succession by turning provider to lay the ball off to the winger who also finished across the 'keeper to give his side a two-goal cushion from 18 yards out. St Johnstone’s frustration at conceding twice in quick succession was evident and their task at the break based on their first half showing seemed almost insurmountable.
Saints boss Callum Davidson was critical of his side for how they lost the game, he said: “I think you could sum up the game in two minutes. From our corner we concede a goal and then 90 seconds later we’re two down, giving ourselves a massive hill to climb. And on his side’s lack of goals, he commented: “Obviously I want my strikers to hit a purple patch because for me performances over the last six games have been better than the points reward for it. Hopefully one of those strikers will hit a wee purple patch and get us the points we deserve.”
Chances continued to come at a minimum after the restart. The visitors in truth looked void of ideas aside from set pieces and didn’t create many substantial efforts that threatened Livi’s lead. They would however grow into the game after changing back to a more familiar and more offensive three at the back after starting the game with a back four.
They almost got one back through Jason Kerr, who met a corner perfectly but couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar just after the hour mark. Cal Hendry then stole the ball back in the area following a set piece and he was able to make space and unleash a shot, but despite it appearing to be goal bound McCrorie got across his goal well to parry the effort away. That chance appeared to breathe some life into Saints who for the first time in the match dominated a spell of play as the full time whistle etched closer. But still they often found their attacking efforts blunted by poor balls hit beyond the pair of May and Hendry. Hendry again came close with a header right at the death but couldn’t hit the target when he popped up free in the box.
Post-match, Gary Holt was delighted with his side’s performance and more specifically the attitude displayed throughout, he said: “I thought we got what we deserved, the majority of games (this season) we’ve had a lot of possession, we’ve had chances, we’ve not been clinical and we’ve been getting punished. So really pleased with taking chances and even happier with people putting their bodies on the line, throwing their heads into where it hurts. “That’s what is synonymous with us, it’s that drive, that determination, that desire to get hurt and put your body on the line for each other.
“I keep telling the players the harder you work the luckier you’ll get and that’s how it played out today.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here