Dylan Bahamboula’s deflected strike was the difference as Livingston beat St Johnstone 1-0 in a keenly fought contest at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The attacker found the net in the 35th minute after his drive spun off Andrew Considine and sent Saints keeper Remi Matthews the wrong way.
The Perth side started brightly but Stevie May wasted a good chance to break the deadlock before James Brown’s drive struck the underside of the bar.
Callum Davidson’s team are now only one point off a trio of teams propping up the Premiership.
There were only 15 seconds on the clock when May was given a sight at goal just inside the box but the striker pulled his left footed shot just wide.
Lions captain Nicky Devlin’s blushes were then spared by home goalkeeper Shamal George in the eighth minute.
Devlin’s attempt to head the ball back to George was intercepted by May but Shamal made himself big and made a crucial block from point blank range.
Saints kept up their attack on the rebound and Brown’s shot from the corner of the area struck the underside of the bar.
Fortunately for Livingston, the ball came down on the right side of the line for them.
The home side slowly began to find their feet although Bahamboula should have done better with a tame header he hit straight at Remi Matthews.
Livingston, however, went in front in the 35th minute with a huge slice of luck.
94’ | Livi 1-0 Saints
Full time at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
A first half goal by Bahamboula gives @LiviFCOfficial all three points.#SJFCLive | @spfl | #cinchPremiership pic.twitter.com/oXEl18PO6S
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) October 15, 2022
Bahamboula picked up a pass from Joel Nouble and his shot from the edge of the box took a big deflection off Considine before landing in the net past the wrong-footed Matthews.
Livingston kept the pressure up after the break although it was Saints that registered the next attempt on goal, with Jamie Murphy shooting straight at George from distance.
The home side had a chance to double their lead on the counter attack in the 62nd minute.
Stephen Kelly cut out a slack Brown pass and fed Jason Holt in the box after charging upfield but the midfielder’s shot was blocked by Matthews.
Saints had a chance to level in injury-time but sub Connor McLennan failed to make contact with Ali Crawford’s cross at the back post.
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