Stephen Robinson hails St Mirren ‘character’ after snatching point at Livingston

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson praised his team after they scored late on to claim a vital point in a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Livingston.

The Lions were on track to move to within five points of the Buddies and end their 19-game winless run in the league after going ahead through Robbie Muirhead early in the second half.

But the visitors – second best for long spells – rallied late in the game and their pressure paid off in the 89th minute when Alex Gogic headed in a Scott Tanser corner.

Robinson, whose team also overcame Livingston on penalties in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, said: “They showed character.

“We said when you don’t play well, you have to try and come out with points and we’ve done that.

“We’ve played well before and not come out with points but we showed character.

“We started poorly for the first 30 minutes and we were just devoid of energy.

“We had arguably the two best chances of the first half with Mikael (Mandron) and Conor (McMenamin).

“We came out in the second half and it was the same, it looked like we lacked energy but in the last 15 minutes we started turning them, we started running at people and started delivering balls into the box.

“It’s a big point, a really big point, and now we have to try and continue that and improve the overall performance. But character-wise, I’m really delighted.

“It keeps Livingston away from us and it gives us another point.”

Livingston manager David Martindale was furious Gogic’s goal was allowed to stand after footage appeared to show the midfielder dragging Joshua Brenet to the ground before nodding home from close range.

It was another disappointing result for Livingston as they continue their search for a first league win since August 9.

Martindale, whose side moved to within three points of Kilmarnock at the basement, said: “I’m going to try and compose myself. I’m really, really angry.

“There’s a big foul on Joshua Brenet, who is marking Alex Gogic. Gogic pulls his arm and it’s Gogic who scores.

“How can that goal be given? I’m really disappointed. I need to stop talking about this, but what do I do? It’s costing us big, big points in games.”