The Perth side took the lead on 17 minutes when Drey Wright got on the end of a Ryan McGowan header to slot the ball beyond Jack Hamilton.
Chris Kane then sealed the points from the penalty spot as he sent Hamilton the wrong way after James Brown had been fouled by James Penrice.
Today’s result means that Saints will finish the 2022/23 cinch Premiership campaign in ninth place with 43 points.
MATCH REPORT
Saints welcomed Livingston to Perth today for their final cinch Premiership match of the season. Ryan McGowan scored in stoppage time in Dingwall in midweek to rescue a point for Saints and Steven MacLean, who was yesterday appointed the new Saints manager on a three-year deal, decided to go with the same starting eleven which started at The Global Energy Stadium. There was also a place on the bench for Murray Davidson who has missed most of this season due to injury. However, there was a change to the Saints starting eleven just before kick off as Andy Considine picked up an injury during the warm up and he was replaced by Alex Mitchell. Ten-man Livingston drew 1-1 with Motherwell on Wednesday evening and manager David Martindale made five changes to his starting eleven as James Penrice, Jason Holt, Scott Pittman and Steven Bradley came in to replace Cristian Montaño, Stéphane Oméonga, Jamie Brandon and Joel Nouble. Whilst goalkeeper Jack Hamilton came in to replace the suspended Shamal George, who was sent off in the midweek draw with Motherwell.
Prior to the start of the match out-going Chairman Steve Brown was given a guard of honour by club staff and addressed the fans ahead of his last game as St Johnstone Chairman.
Stephen Kelly got the match underway for the hosts and the West Lothian side made a positive start to the match. On 4 minutes Luiyi de Lucas picked out Bruce Anderson with a headed pass however, the shot from the forward from just outside the box was comfortably saved by Ross Sinclair.
Saints created their first chance of the match on 14 minutes as following a Cammy MacPherson free kick, the ball broke to Ryan McGowan in the box who produced a great overhead kick which was brilliantly tipped over for a corner by Jack Hamilton.
PHOTO: An emotional Steve Brown is gives a speech before his last game as Chairman of St Johnstone FC
The Perth side were starting to find their stride and on 16 minutes they came close to the opener as MacPherson played in Drey Wright who broke into the box before seeing his effort hit the side netting. Wright though didn’t miss 2 minutes later as he found the back of the net. McGowan played a brilliant header over the Livi defence and Wright latched onto the ball and raced into the box before slotting beyond Hamilton to give Saints the lead.
On 21 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Adam Montgomery had been fouled by Scott Pittman. Both Cammy MacPherson and Graham Carey stood over the free kick but it was taken by the former who saw his effort hit the Livi wall before bouncing behind for a corner.
The visitors created a chance to get back into the match on the half an hour mark as a long throw-in by Nicky Devlin was headed on by de Lucas and Tom Parkes got on the end of it however, his bullet header was well saved by Sinclair.
The first booking of the game came on 40 minutes as Penrice ended up in Graham Grainger’s book for a foul on Wright.
PHOTO: Drey Wright celebrates his goal with Cammy MacPherson and Liam Gordon
4 minutes into the second half Penrice unleashed a strike from 30 yards which was deflected for a corner by James Brown. From the resultant corner kick Scott Pittman got on the end of Jason Holt’s cross into the box however, his header went wide of the target from close range.
Saints made their first change of the game on 64 minutes as Chris Kane came on to replace Stevie May. Steven MacLean’s men then created a brilliant chance to double their lead. Carey did well to beat his man out wide on the left before racing to the byline and crossing an inviting ball into the box to lay it on a plate for Wright however, he blasted his effort over the bar from three yards out.
On 68 minutes Saints were awarded a penalty after Brown was fouled in the box by Penrice. There was VAR check to confirm the penalty and once it was confirmed Kane stepped up to take the spot kick and he coolly sent Hamilton the wrong way to double Saints lead.
PHOTO: Chris Kane scores from the penalty spot
With 15 minutes remaining Saints made a double change as David Wotherspoon and Dan Phillips came on to replace Drey Wright and Cammy MacPherson.
Saints continued to press forward and on 78 minutes Wotherspoon setup Adam Montgomery however, his right footed effort didn’t trouble Hamilton in the visiting goal.
Great play by Cammy Ballantyne with 5 minutes remaining saw the midfielder brilliantly win the ball from Stéphane Oméonga and the midfielder then carried the ball forward before unleashing an effort which was blocked by a Livi player. The loose ball then broke to Carey however, he blasted his effort into the side netting.
PHOTO: Cammy Ballantyne and Luiyi de Lucas
The Lions were then awarded a free kick in a promising position following a foul on Pittman by Wotherspoon. Stephen Kelly floated the ball into the box and it was met by de Lucas however, the Dominican defender headed the ball over the bar.
Saints then made their final change of the game as Murray Davidson came on for the final few minutes, and was given the captains armband by Liam Gordon, as the Perth fans chanted his name as the long-serving midfielder came on to replace Cammy Ballantyne.
The visitors had one final chance to pull a goal back in stoppage time as substitute Andrew Shinnie raced into the box but Sinclair stood strong to deny the midfielder before the Saints defence scramble the loose ball away as they saw the game out to end the season with 3 points and a clean sheet.
PHOTO: Murray Davidson is given a guard of honour by his team mates at full time
Saints: Sinclair, Brown, Gordon, Mitchell, Montgomery, Wright (Wotherspoon 75), MacPherson (Phillips 75), McGowan, Carey, Ballantyne (Davidson 90), May (Kane 64)
Unused Substitutes: Wills (GK), Gallacher, Considine, Rudden, McLennan
Booked: None
Scorers: Wright (17), Kane (68 pen)
Livingston: Hamilton, Devlin (Brandon 70), de Lucas, Parkes (Oméonga 72), Penrice, Stephen Kelly, Sean Kelly, Holt (Shinnie 58), Pittman, Bradley (Bahamboula 58), Anderson
Booked: Penrice, de Lucas, Sean Kelly
Referee: Graham Grainger
VAR: Craig Napier
Attendance: 4,362
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Chris Kane celebrates his goal