Curtis Main netted his first goal in four months to earn the battling Buddies a hard-fought Premiership point at rain-lashed Livingston tonight.
Livi were reduced to 10 men when Scott Pittman was sent-off midway through the first half.
However, the West Lothian men held on and opened the scoring through Cristiano Montano seconds after Saints skipper Mark O’Hara went for an early bath.
But Main’s clever close-range finish levelled things up with both sides ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
It was a result which means Saints will end 2022 in the top six – finishing there at the conclusion of the campaign will be the target in the second half of the season.
Livi, smarting from a 4-0 whipping at Hibernian, were busier during the early exchanges as the rain swept across the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Indeed, there was a certain admiration for Livi boss David Martindale who keenly patrolled his technical area, sporting just a long-sleeved top while most punters were wrapped up like fish suppers.
In any case, Martindale was left feeling the heat midway through the first half as his side were reduced to 10 men.
Midfielder Pittman cleaned out Aussie World Cup star Keanu Baccus right in front of the main stand and was promptly booked for his transgression.
However, VAR decided referee Steven McLean needed to take another look and the roars of approval from the noisy Paisley support suggested they knew how this movie would end.
They were not to be disappointed. McLean returned to the pitch to inform Pittman that his caution was cancelled and he was receiving his marching orders instead.
Advantage St Mirren but it was Livi who had the first real sight of goal when Montano fired wide from just outside the box.
With a minute remaining of the first half, the Buddies bared their teeth. Ethan Erhahon fed Jonah Ayunga who took the ball for a run then doubled-back on himself to tee up Marcus Fraser whose shot stung the palms of keeper Ivan Konovalov.
This would turn out to be Ayunga’s final act as he was replaced at the interval by Eamonn Brophy.
But the game itself would spin on its axis in the 55th minute as the numbers were evened up with Livi cashing in straight away.
O’Hara, booked early for a foul on Andrew Shinnie, was sent-off after halting the progress of Bruce Anderson.
And soon after, the Lions would break the deadlock. The Buddies couldn’t clear the danger after a low effort from Montano struck the post with the Colombian following up himself to slam home.
Stephen Robinson’s men would respond swiftly with a Scott Tanser cross finding Brophy but his header was brilliantly repulsed by Konovalov.
Livingston's reprieve would be short-lived. In the 64th minute, Brophy embarked on a daring raid down the left flank and delivered for Main who converted from inside the six-yard box.
In the final minute, Brophy raced clear with a chance to win it for Saints but he blasted wide.
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