Gary Holt gets Livingston career off to winning start against St Mirren

Posted Saturday, August 25, 2018 by PA

Gary Holt got his Livingston career off to a winning start as his new team eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over St Mirren.

First-half goals from teenager Jack Hamilton and defender Alan Lithgow earned the play-off winners their first Premiership victory.

Holt started work on Thursday following the shock exit of Kenny Miller as player/manager and admitted he would be guided by assistant David Martindale when picking the team.

But the emphatic nature of the victory over the Championship title winners in Paisley will give him huge encouragement as he sets about the task of keeping Livi in the top flight.

St Mirren offered no attacking threat and were outmuscled and outplayed as they suffered only a third home defeat in 25 league games.

Miller’s departure and an injury to namesake Lee Miller left Livi relying on 18-year-old Hamilton and midfielder Scott Robinson to lead their line – but the makeshift strike duo quickly caused the hosts problems.

Robinson shot off the post following a low cross by Togo midfielder Steve Lawson, who signed on Tuesday after training with Livi for several weeks.

Hamilton netted eight times in 16 games on loan at Berwick last season – and opened his Livingston account in the Betfred Cup group stages – and he was on hand to open his Premiership account in the 14th minute.

The visitors kept the pressure on after a corner and Hamilton swept Lithgow’s ball across the goalmouth in off the bar.

Livingston kept creating chances. Craig Samson saved a Steven Lawless free-kick and header and Rickie Lamie’s header, and St Mirren’s vulnerability in the air cost them when Lithgow rose unchallenged to head a Lawless corner into the roof of the net in the 36th minute.

Livingston’s solid back four were dealing with any ball into the box and the only time St Mirren even threatened to breach the visiting defence came courtesy of individual runs from Kyle Magennis and Matty Willock – which ultimately led to nothing.

The half-time whistle was met by loud boos from the home fans and there was nothing to lift their spirits after the break.

Summer signings Cole Kpekawa, a former QPR and Colchester defender, and Nicolai Brock-Madsen, an on-loan Birmingham striker, both struggled and were taken off.

Visiting goalkeeper Liam Kelly never had one save to make and the visitors could have added to their lead with Robinson and substitute Nicky Cadden coming close.