Brooklyn Kabongolo strike earns Livingston draw with St Mirren

Brooklyn Kabongolo scored for the second game running as Livingston fought back to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with fellow William Hill Premiership strugglers St Mirren.

The Lions defender, who scored a stunning volley in last weekend’s 2-2 stalemate with Rangers, headed in a second-half equaliser to cancel out Dan Nlundulu’s goal for the visitors just before the break.

It was a result that suited Saints more than Livingston with Stephen Robinson’s side maintaining the 10-point gap over the basement side.

Livingston’s position at the basement looks increasingly more desperate with every passing week as they continue their search for a first league win since August.

Following last weekend’s 5-0 collapse at the hands of Motherwell, St Mirren manager Robinson made six changes for the trip to West Lothian.

Marcus Fraser, Jayden Richardson, Keanu Baccus, Scott Tanser, Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron were all restored to the starting XI.

And it was Richardson who came close to giving the visitors the lead after just six minutes. The wing-back got on the end of Tanser’s delivery and his looping header hit the top of the cross bar.

In a lively first half, chances came at both ends of the pitch.

Mandron swept a left-footed shot from distance just over after the Lions got caught trying to play out before Livingston striker Robbie Muirhead drove an effort wide from inside the area.

Both of these teams have struggled for goals this term so it was no surprise that they were wasteful in the final third.

The same theme continued when Scott Pittman whipped a first-time shot wide from 15 yards in what was a promising position after being teed up by Liam Smith.

St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George was then called upon to repel a stinging Smith drive after Alex Gogic made a mess of trying to head the ball back.

But it was the away team that stormed ahead a minute before the break through Nlundulu.

The striker was involved in the build up and was accused of handling the ball after falling to the ground just outside the box.

Saints recycled the ball and Richardson played in Mandron down the side of the area and his cross was headed back across goal by the striker.

It was a familiar feeling for Livingston as the second half restarted although the home team should have drawn level through Muirhead.

The striker found himself in space from a Macaulay Tait pass but his right-footed shot from an angle was pushed behind by George.

The second period was not so open with the battle becoming more confined to the middle of the pitch.

Livingston kept fighting and their perseverance paid off in the 76th minute with another goal from Kabongolo.

Substitute Barrie McKay swept a deep cross into the area the unmarked Kabongolo showed great composure to direct his header into the corner of the net from 10 yards.

Fellow substitute Joel Nouble then headed a McKay corner over from close range in what was the last meaningful chance of the game.