Three first-half goals saw St Mirren pick up the points against Livingston and move into fifth place in the cinch Premiership.
Tony Watt's first Saints goal came either side of two Mark O'Hara penalties as the Buddies moved back into a top six place at the expense of the visitors. It was a result that saw Stephen Robinson's men win their ninth home league match of the season - the first time we've done so in 36 years.
Saints got off to the perfect start when we were awarded a penalty after a handball that occurred inside just 15 seconds from kick-off. It took a lengthy VAR check before referee John Beaton awarded the spot kick after checking the monitor. O'Hara stepped up and slammed home from 12 yards to put us ahead on five minutes.
The Buddies bright start was rewarded further when Watt scored his first goal for St Mirren on 18 minutes to double our lead. The forward got on the end of a low ball from Curtis Main and rounded Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George to roll into the empty net.
Tony Watt rounds Shamal George to score his first goal for Saints (Image: Allan Picken)
Saints passed up a huge chance to make it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark when Main sprang the offside trap and raced clear on goal. The forward had options in the middle but elected to try and chip George who managed to gather. But a third goal would come after we were awarded a second penalty for another handball on 41 minutes. O'Hara was on hand to score his 10th of the season to put us 3-0 in front. Saints thought they'd added a quick-fire fourth when Main knocked home Ryan Strain's free-kick two minutes later, but the offside flag denied the forward his seventh goal of the season.
The visitors had two big opportunities to pull a goal back in the opening minutes of the second 45. A header from substitute Cristian Montano forced a terrific save from Trevor Carson before Livingston captain Nicky Devlin drilled inches wide of the far post.
Strain almost added a sensational fourth for Saints on 50 minutes after nifty footwork from the Australian saw him fashion the space on the edge of the box to get the shot away, but the effort flashed just wide. Nouble should have reduced the deficit 10 minutes later though the forward blasted over the bar after outmuscling the Saints defence to go clear on goal.
Saints saw the remainder of the game out comfortably to move back into the top six with three matches to go before the split.
Full-Time: St Mirren 3-0 Livingston
St Mirren: Carson, Fraser, Shaughnessy (c), Dunne, Strain, Baccus (Flynn 68), Gogic, O'Hara (Kiltie 46), Small (Tanser 84), Watt (Greive 68), Main (Offord 90)
Subs Not Used: Urminsky, Gallagher, R.Taylor, Jamieson
Livingston: George, Fitzwater, Boyes (Brandon 80), De Lucas, Devlin, Pittman (Kelly 62), Holt (Omeonga 46), Shinnie (Anderson 71), Penrice (Montano 46), Guthrie, Nouble
Subs Not Used: Hamilton, Bahamboula, Bradley
Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Ross Hardie
Attendance: 5,984
