FAMILIARITY bred contentment for Danny Mullen.
Returning to the stadium where he had played for five seasons, the St Mirren striker scored his first away goal of the season against Livingston to deliver a precious victory for his relegation-threatened side.
Simeon Jackson added a third goal two minutes later to make sure of a result that leaves St Mirren just two points adrift of Hamilton Accies in 10th while sending them six clear of bottom side Dundee.
Mullen left it late to make his mark. With the score at 1-1 and just 12 minutes remaining, the striker unleashed a low venomous shot that zipped past Liam Kelly in the home goal.
“The fans had been giving me it tight before and during the game so it was good to get the goal,” said the striker (above). “That goal was the only answer I could give them.”
With four games left, St Mirren have it in their own hands to settle whether they stay up or make an immediate return to the Championship.
“That’s all we want,” said manager Oran Kearney. “We get questions about the other teams but at this point we just have to be selfish.”
READ MORE: Relegation from the Championship means more than just football
Livingston had little to play for but there was no questioning their commitment. Perhaps Craig Halkett was a bit too eager as he tried to prevent Brad Lyons running in on goal after just 17 minutes, the captain mistiming his tackle to send the Northern Irishman clattering to the artificial turf.
“The red card changed the game,” said Livingston manager Gary Holt.
That could have seen the home side retreat into a defensive shape but they continued to demonstrate their attacking intent and reaped the rewards with a goal just three minutes after Halkett’s lonely trek.
It was a well-crafted effort, Scott Robinson feeding a pass wide to Stevie Lawless, accepting the return before calmly rolling the ball in.
St Mirren dug out an equaliser after 26 minutes. Only Paul McGinn will know if he was trying to score from such a tight angle but the ball whizzed past goalkeeper Kelly regardless to draw the visitors level.
The visitors left it late to claim the victory, Jackson bundling in from close range just moments after Mullen’s key intervention.
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