Livingston ended a two-game losing streak and climbed into the top six in the process as Dylan Bahamboula's deflected first-half strike saw the Lions pick up a 1-0 home win over St Johnstone.
Lions boss David Martindale made just one change to the side that lost 1-0 to Ross County last week with Stephen Kelly handed his first start for the club at the expense of Andrew Shinnie.
Despite appearing off the bench in the last two games, Bruce Anderson had to settle for a place on the bench - as did both Jack Fitzwater and Esmael Goncalves after two games out through injury.
The Lions almost fell behind within 14 seconds as Saints marched up the field from kick-off with Stevie May angling a drive from the edge of the box that had Shamal George scrambling before rolling narrowly wide.
Livi had the ball in the net on six minutes after Bahamboula's nifty footwork led to him playing in Kurtis Guthrie but the official's flag was raised well before the striker fired home.
A blistering start saw St Johnstone go close to opening the scoring twice within a few seconds just moments later. Nicky Devlin's weak header was pounced on by May with George producing a terrific save with his legs before James Brown rattled the crossbar in the next passage of play.
Proceedings settled into an altogether more subdued nature following the frenetic start with both sides struggling to take control of the game.
Until, that is, the Lions opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances on 35 minutes. Great link-up play eventually led to Bahamboula being teed up with the winger cutting inside and seeing his effort deflect off Andy Considine and duly send Remi Matthews the wrong way for his first goal in Livi colours.
Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the contest but there was a flurry of activity around the hour mark. Livi's calls for a penalty after Joel Nouble appeared to be impeded inside the box were turned down before St Johnstone went straight up the other end and forced George into a save from Jamie Murphy's long-range strike.
The hosts went close to doubling their advantage on 62 minutes as Stephen Kelly intercepted a pass and charged 50 yards before a wonderful through ball sent Jason Holt in on goal. The midfielder saw his low drive turned behind by Matthews.
Callum Davidson made a slew of changes in a bid to get back into the game but it would be the home side who had the ball in the net next. Fortunately for the visitors, Bahamboula was punished for a push in the back as he nodded home Stephen Kelly's cross at the back post.
Livi comfortably saw out the remainder of the clash to pick up the three valuable points.
Livingston: George; Devlin, Obileye, Se. Kelly, Montano (Longridge 45); Pittman, Holt (Anderson 71), St. Kelly (Shinnie 90); Bahamboula (Boyes 85), Guthrie (Fitzwater 71), Nouble. Subs not used: Hamilton, Goncalves, Cancar, Penrice.
Goal: Bahamboula (35)
St Johnstone: Matthews; Wright (Wotherspoon 83), Considine, Gordon, Mitchell (McLennan 66), Brown (Montgomery 77); McGowan, Hallberg, Murphy (Crawford 76); Bair (Kucheriavyi 66), May. Subs not used: Parish, Gallacher, O'Halloran, Phillips.
