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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Perthshire Advertiser

St Johnstone 2 Livingston 0: Saints finish season on a high as club legend Murray Davidson makes final appearance

Chris Kane netted his first goal since returning from prolonged injury pain to ensure St Johnstone finished the 2022/23 campaign on a high.

The experienced Perth forward hit the back of the net from the penalty spot after coming on as a second half substitute.

That wrapped up the victory at McDiarmid Park against Livingston after Drey Wright, a star performer this term, had opened the scoring with a tidy first half finish.

Stalwart Murray Davidson - a real legend of the club - rounded the afternoon off by entering the action for the final time before his retirement.

Saints end the season ninth in the standings with 43 points.

Before a ball was kicked, chairman Steve Brown, who is stepping down from his role, was given a guard of honour by staff.

A large banner was unveiled by the Perth support in the East Stand thanking the Browns for their service to the club over the years.

There was, when play got under way, a very end of season feel to proceedings and that was to be expected with both teams unable to manoeuvre from their current league positions.

Initially, Saints had been sent out with the same team which earned a 3-3 draw in Dingwall midweek but Andy Considine picked up an injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Alex Mitchell, playing his last game before returning to Millwall.

There was a spot on the bench for Davidson who, after a stellar Perth career, will now retire.

Saints had looked the likelier of the teams to break the deadlock with Ryan McGowan’s overhead kick and Wright’s drive into the side-netting both going close.

McGowan was architect in the 18th minute to lift a header over the Livi rearguard and, scampering clear, Wright finished smartly beyond goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.

In a game of few clear cut chances, Wright had a glorious one to double the lead in the 64th minute but, somehow, lifted Graham Carey’s delightful cross over from less than five yards.

Just before that, forward Kane had entered the action for his second run-out since returning from 16 months out injured.

He would find the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 69th minute for what was his first goal since Boxing Day 2021. James Brown had been fouled in the box.

The stage was set for Davidson to stride onto the field of play for the final time for the club he joined 14 years ago and where he has made more than 400 appearances.

The popular midfielder was sent on for the final few minutes, much to the delight of an appreciative support who chanted his name with vigour.

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