SUBSTITUTE Collin Samuel was the deadlock breaker as St Johnstone extended their unbeaten run in the league to 18 games at Livingston's expense.

Despite the re-inclusion of Jason Talbot to the side, Cammy MacDonald kept his place at left back for the third consecutive match, with Talbot slotting in to a central midfield role at the expense of Gary Miller.

There was also a place in the team for left winger Joe Hamill, who hadn't featured since the 1-1 home draw with Clyde a month ago. With Leigh Griffiths suspended, Hamill filled the left midfield position vacated by David Winters, who was pushed on up front.

Livi started the brighter of the two sides and were left to rue bad luck with two golden chances which on another day would arguably have found the back of the net.

Former Lions 'keeper Alan Main was caught all ends up by a cute David Winters chip which cannoned back off his crossbar. And Main had the woodwork to thank yet again 10 minutes later, when Tony McParland found the post with a fine left foot effort from outside the area.

The visitors bossed the first half, with giant striker Armand One again causing bewilderment amongst the opposition defenders with his height and strength.

But as Livingston manager Paul Hegarty had warned against before the game, it was performance consistency that was ultimately to be his side's undoing in the second period.

McParland endeavored to get the goal his earlier efforts had deserved early in the second period, having Livi's best chances of the opening exchanges.

A shot from the winger from outside the area unfortunately ended up over the bar after some good work on the edge of the box. He followed that effort up with another keen shot at goal from a free-kick, but failed to repeat his heroics of last weekend, with the ball flashing past the post.

But Livingston failed to carve out the chances they had done in the first half and they were made to pay by the introduction of lively forward Collin Samuel with just over 20 minutes left to play.

The Trinidadian is an asset to have on the substitutes bench as an impact player and proved his worth within two minutes of taking to the park.

His introduction buoyed the Saints and - shortly after Steven Milne had put a header wide - Samuel was played through on goal down the left hand side by Chris Millar's pinpoint pass.

Samuel got the better of Livi right back Dave Mackay for pace, controlling expertly before finding the roof of the net with a fierce strike, despite the attentions of 'keeper Roddy McKenzie.

Livingston tried to introduce an impact man of their own in response, with Italian forward Raffaele de Vita making his long awaited first appearance for the first team after recovering from a serious knee injury picked up in pre-season.

But Raffa was unable to make the same impression his fellow substitute had - although it would be unfair to compare the two - but showed glimpses of his match fit potential with some eye-catching link up play and good close control.

Livi rarely threatened to mount a comeback after Samuel's strike but could have left with a point in the final minute of the game from a corner.

The ball dropped kindly in the six yard box for the onrushing attackers, but with the traveling support sensing a possible equaliser, St Johnstone defender Kevin Rutkiewicz was alert to clear at the last moment to clear - and leave Livi aggrieved at not getting the minimum one point their earlier play had deserved.