St Mirren fired themselves into fifth place with a convincing victory over Livingston in Paisley - after VAR gave them not one but two first half penalties.
Mark O’Hara converted both spot kicks either side of a Tony Watt strike and other scores elsewhere went in their favour much to the delight of gaffer Stephen Robinson.
Incredibly after 15 seconds there was a lengthy VAR check for a penalty to the hosts after a possible Fitzwater handball. Ref John Beaton was then called across to look himself and awarded the spot kick, which was duly tucked away by O’Hara to give St Mirren the perfect start. Livi never recovered that poor beginning and it was 2-0 before the 20 minute mark, this time Watt cooly side stepped Shamal George in goal to roll home after being found by Curtis Main In the box for his first Buddies goal.
Then a second VAR check and a second St Mirren penalty for another handball, again slammed home by O’Hara for 3-0. There was even time for a fourth to be correctly ruled out after Main had the ball in the net but Douglas Ross put his flag up. Livi then had VAR check in stoppage time, of which there was seven minutes, but nothing was given.
A frustrated David Martindale - who brought on Christian Montano and Stephane Omeonga on for James Penrice and Jason Holt at the break - saw his side nearly get an early goal back first through Montano and then Nicky Devlin. VAR would then deny Stephen Kelly - another Livi sub for Scott Pittman - a penalty after he fell down in the box. Kelly would also bring an extended save from Trevor Carson as St Mirren kept a clean sheet for the 3-0 win.
Here’s 3 talking points from Paisley.
Saints leapfrog Lions
Stephen Robinson was never going to totally write off or celebrate their team’s top six chances, whatever the result in Paisley this afternoon, he’s too experienced for that. However, with the Buddies still facing successive trips to Tynecastle and Ibrox before the split and starting the day a point behind the visitors, a win looked vital for the hosts.
In terms of a recent record between the teams at the SMISA Stadium, the home side haven’t lost in the last seven encounters, but surprisingly have only won four of the last 16. This fifth win in 17, thanks to goals from Mark O’Hara twice and Tony Watt could turn out to be a hugely important for Robinson’s men as they look for this top half finish, which has been their main objective this season
Other results have gone St Mirren’s meaning the have actually leapfrogged Hibs too into fifth place. Another bonus for Robinson’s squad going into to tough away fixtures in quick succession as they may look for a return to European football.
Defeat for Livi sees them drop out top half:
Disappointed David Martindale saw his side drop to seventh after defeat against St Mirren in Paisley, the Lions boss brought his side to the SMISA Stadium hoping to strengthen their top six bid but lost to their hosts who replaced them in the top half of the Premiership table.
Livi beat Ross County with two goals in two minutes before the international break, Simon Murray made the last 20 minutes interesting at the Tony Macaroni, however the hosts held out for an important three points, especially after they were held at home by bottom side Dundee United in their previous outing.
The West Lothian outfit will be hoping to get their their challenge for their ultimate goal this term back on track as soon as possible. Especially after missing out on the top six last season by conceding an injury time equaliser in the final match before split and they will be anxious to ensure that lightning doesn’t strike twice.
VAR in overdrive in Paisley:
VAR was in use after just 15 seconds at the SMISA Stadium and it was far from the end of the story. Ref John Beaton gave hosts St Mirren two first half penalties for handball.
Both were scored by Mark O’Hara and it made simple for the Buddies to close out a 3-0 victory either of Tony Watt’s first St Mirren goal. Livingston even had a couple of checks for themselves one in each half but neither was given and Beaton was not even sent to the screen on either occasion.
