Alex Gogic headed in a late equaliser to earn St Mirren a vital point in a 1-1 draw and extend Livingston’s long wait for a Scottish Premiership victory.
The Lions – who have now gone 20 league games without a win – thought they were heading to their first three points since August after Robbie Muirhead fired them in front.
But St Mirren, who beat Livingston on penalties in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, levelled late on to ensure they remain eight points clear of the basement side.
Taking into account last month’s first meeting of the season involving these teams, this was the third clash in 32 days.
Both managers resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes, with Cristian Montano coming in for Livingston and Conor McMenamin earning promotion to the starting XI for the visitors.
A stop-start first half lacked any flow mainly due to the physios of both teams being called upon to deal with several head knocks and injuries.
The home side had a chance to test goalkeeper Shamal George in the 16th minute when Saints defender Gogic was penalised for handball just outside his box.
Muirhead stepped up to take the free-kick but his effort came back off the wall.
It was a first half devoid of any real quality although St Mirren striker Mikael Mandron did manage to register the first shot at goal just after the half-hour mark with a turn and left-footed shot from 20 yards that was straight at Jerome Prior.
Livingston created their first chance just before the break when Lewis Smith dug out out a cross from the right that was met by Connor McLennan but the striker headed wide.
St Mirren stepped up their pursuit of the breakthrough just before the break with three good chances.
Mandron headed over from a McMenamin cross from six yards when he should have at least found the net.
The roles were reversed moments later after Mandron caused panic with a driving run and Prior made a smart save from close range after the ball broke to McMenamin.
Before the half was over, Prior then got down to push a Roland Idowu shot behind.
With five first half stoppage-time minutes added, Muirhead then had a header cleared off the line at the other end after Liam Smith’s shot was pushed away by George.
Livingston made a bright start to the second half and after McLennan had a curling shot saved by George the hosts went ahead in the 56th minute.
Joshua Brenet’s deep cross was controlled by Muirhead and the striker lashed a left-footed half volley into the far corner.
St Mirren stepped up their efforts but it was Livingston that came within inches of adding a second.
Muirhead stepped on to his left inside the area but his curling effort from an angle clipped the top of the bar.
But the visitors levelled in the 89th minute when Gogic met Scott Tanser’s corner to head home from close range.
