There was more VAR drama for Livingston last night as they were handed a second early red card in as many games.
But unlike Saturday's collapse against Hibs, the Lions grabbed a hard fought 1-1 draw at home to St Mirren, with the visitors also having Mark O'Hara dismissed in the second-half.
A first-half red card for Scott Pittman courtesy of a VAR check for dangerous play was followed by a second yellow for Saints skipper O’Hara 10 minutes after the break. Cristian Montano almost immediately gave Livi the lead after the Buddies red card - only for Curtis Main to level things up and ensure both sides picked up a point.
Livi boss Davie Martindale made two changes to the side soundly beaten at Easter Road with Morgan Boyes and Sean Kelly getting the nod ahead of Jack Fitzwater and Jason Holt.
The game started flat with the battle mainly in the middle of the park, however it didn’t take long for referee Steven McLean to get the cards out as he booked O’Hara for a late lunge on Andrew Shinnie.
The home side started to look threatening and a ball from Nicky Devlin was taken expertly by Stephen Kelly. His dribble at the defence allowed him to slip a pass through to Shinnie, but his cut back was comfortably cleared by the Buddies defence.
VAR was called into play 21 minutes into the game when Pittman challenged Keanu Baccus. Winning the ball, Pittman’s foot then connected with the Aussie's leg. Whistler McLean initially showed Pittman a yellow, however was invited to review his decision by VAR referee Nick Walsh and changed his decision to a red card.
Having been reduced to 10 men after just 15 minutes at the weekend, it would be another lengthy battle with a man short. Martindale opted not to make changes and the Lions continued to keep possession well and push forward, with Dylan Bahamboula’s quick feet causing issues for Scott Tanser.
The Lions had a terrific opportunity before half-time, with Devlin’s drilled cross finding the feet of Ayo Obileye. Using his strength well, he turned and created space for himself before the ball eventually found Montano on the edge of the box who dragged his effort wide.
The Saints best chance of the opening 45 minutes came from wonderful play by Jonah Ayunga. Getting the ball on the left-hand side of the box, his trickery managed to guide him through a throng of three Livi players before sending the ball cross field to Marcus Fraser, whose shot forced a tidy save at the near post from Ivan Konovalov.
Livi were looking impressive with Bahamboula again being the source of discomfort for the Buddies, and it was sustained pressure that led to O’Hara’s second yellow.
Bruce Anderson received the ball in the middle of the park, however O’Hara’s attempt to win the ball from behind was deemed excessive from the referee who opted to send the Saints captain off.
And the hosts would capitalise from resulting free-kick. A fantastic ball from Stephen Kelly found Montano one-on-one with Trevor Carson. He slotted the ball past the Buddies keeper before reacting the quickest to his initial effort hitting the post as he poked the rebound home.
It was almost a quick-fire double for Livi as Sean Kelly slipped through Anderson after a slack header from Charles Dunne but the striker's effort was blocked by Carson.
The goal burst the game into life and a period of constant end-to-end play from both sides ensued. St Mirren had a golden opportunity to square the game up, however were denied by a wonder save from Konovalov.
Bahamboula continued to create problems on the right-hand side and found Anderson with a cross but the header was comfortably saved by Carson.
The visitors' persistence paid off in the end, with Ethan Erhahon finding sub Eamon Brophy who picked up the ball on the left side of the area. His cross was pinpoint and found a lurking Main who made no mistake from close range.
There was a penalty shout for Livi with 15 minutes to play – Obileye seemingly bodied over in the box - however after a quick check from VAR, McLean waved play on.
Both teams were piling the pressure on trying to find the winner as time ticked away. Some beautiful play from Livi saw Stephen Kelly's enticing cross miss the two targets in amber in the middle of the area while at the other end of the park, poor decision making cost St Mirren the win.
A quick counter-attack found Brophy with the freedom of the Tony Macaroni Arena. Rushing in on the keeper he fired the ball over the bar with Main screaming for the pass for a simple tap in.
A late volley from Anderson following a lovely dink from one side of the box to the other from James Penrice forced a corner, however the Stephen Kelly strike from the edge of the box ended up high over the bar as the teams were forced to share the spoils.
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