DEFENSIVE frailties cost St Mirren dearly as Livingston took advantage to book their place in the third round of the League Cup. With play locked at 2-2 and seemingly headed for extra-time, Ian Murray’s side failed to deal with a Ross Millen free kick into the box and Declan Gallagher poked a shot beyond Jamie Langfield for what proved to be the winning goal.

That wasn’t the end of the action, however, as St Mirren had a great shout for a penalty for handball waved away, before Livingston’s Danny Mullen was shown a straight red card for a terrible tackle on Jordan Stewart who departed the field on a stretcher leaving both teams with 10 men. Despite eight minutes of injury-time, St Mirren could not find another goal to take the tie to extra-time. With tempers bubbling over almost from the first minute, Saturday’s re-match in the league could well be another feisty affair.

St Mirren, expected to finally conclude deals for Lawrence Shankland and Andy Webster today, had gone in front after a feisty opening period that saw three players booked. Those early yellow cards set the tone for a bad-tempered match and it was the home side that got their noses in front after 16 minutes. The goal stemmed from terrific play from Lewis Morgan who sped down the right flank before playing an enticing ball across the face of the goal. From a matter of yards Calum Gallagher couldn’t miss and he duly tapped in his first St Mirren goal to put the home side in front.

After a period of relative calm, the first half concluded with a flurry of goals. Livingston drew level after 41 minutes, were ahead four minutes later and then pegged back again before the half was out. The visitors’ first goal was a piece of individual brilliance as Liam Buchanan fastened on to possession in the inside right channel before lofting a deft lob over Jamie Langfield that kissed the far post before nestling in the net. St Mirren then chose to take Jim Goodwin off before half-time – he had been in danger of being sent off – and then fell behind a minute or so later. It was a poor goal to lose from a defensive perspective as a long throw-in into the St Mirren box wasn’t attacked allowing Ben Gordon a header on goal. Langfield did well to keep it out but could only parry it into the path of Mullen who lashed his shot into the net.

That wasn’t the end of the first-half action, however. In the time added on to cover the treatment received by St Mirren full-back Keith Watson – he didn’t appear for the second half - St Mirren hauled themselves back level. This time Mullen was the villain of the piece, bringing down Jordan Stewart some 25 yards from goal. Stevie Mallan strode up confidently and curled a terrific shot into the corner of the net. The half-time offered an opportunity for everyone to get their breath back, although referee Brian Colvin still had both benches chirping at him unhappily as he strode off the pitch.

The second half was marginally less frantic, although a strong run and shot from Gallagher was well parried by Darren Jamieson. Then came the late goal and the red card.