David Martindale paid tribute to Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek as his side recorded their first Scottish Premiership away win this season against St Johnstone.

Odin Bailey, Bruce Anderson and Scott Pittman all scored to end a run of three straight defeats.

But Martindale reserved special praise for Stryjek, who had been criticised for big mistakes against Aberdeen and Rangers this season.

"I'm really pleased for Max," he said.

"He came up with a big save late on in the second half to give us that clean sheet. Obviously, he's had a few errors in his game of late and that's something we've spoken about as a group and individually with Max.

"I know he's a fantastic goalkeeper, I know what he's got in his locker. His ability is not in question."

The win moves Livingston to within two points of their eighth-placed hosts.

With seconds on the clock, Livingston nearly took the lead through a Cristian Montano header from close range after Pitman's shot was deflected in his direction.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark got down promptly to deny the Colombian an early goal.

However, when on-loan Birmingham City winger Bailey engineered a move down the right-hand side and received the ball back from Bruce Anderson on the edge of the box, he unleashed a venomous strike into the bottom corner, leaving the Clark with no chance.

St Johnstone went close to an equaliser as a well-worked corner found Liam Craig at the back post and the midfielder's looping effort crashed off of the bar.

A defensive error from St Johnstone allowed Livingston in for their second.

Clark attempted to play the ball out from the back, but it flicked off Jamie McCart's heel after the defender could not sort his feet out and it fell kindly for Livi number nine Anderson to rifle it home from just outside the box.

Home manager Callum Davidson was forced into an early substitution as Shaun Rooney was replaced with Lars Dendoncker after the wing back limped off.

Despite having far more of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, Saints went down the tunnel at the interval without registering an attempt on target.

Efe Ambrose went close to clawing one back just after the break as his header fizzed past the post from a corner.

Bailey and Anderson continued to combine well and the former set up the latter for a great chance that was thwarted by an excellent sliding block.

A lack of communication led to Michael O'Halloran and Ambrose colliding in the box and the ball fell to Anderson, who showed great composure to set up midfielder Pittman to put the game beyond doubt.

Livingstong goalkeeper Max Stryjek had a relatively quiet afternoon until late saves to deny Chris Kane and Stevie May.

Man of the Match - Bruce Anderson

What did we learn?

Despite all of their possession, St Johnstone failed to create any opportunities of note. Livingston's defence and goalkeeper had very little to do all afternoon.

Two of their goals were gifted to them thanks to defensive errors, but Livingston's forwards were clinical when called upon and showed expert composure to bury their chances.

With players returning from injury for David Martindale after the international break, he was able to rotate his side from the start and it proved fruitful as they blew away St Johnstone.
What did they say?

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "If you want to see how poor a team can be from the start, that was us today. We huffed and puffed and had chances to score, but when you concede goals like the way we did, you don't win games of football.

"Defensive errors let us down - you'd be correct in saying that. We set high standards for ourselves and we didn't meet them today. We need to get back to our standards next week. We can't afford to have games like we did today."

Livingston manager David Martindale: "I'm delighted for the players. We've been on the back end of poor results, but our performances have been fairly good, so it was nice to come out on the other end of that.

"It was the first time, since probably the start of the season, where we've had to leave boys out of the squad. I'm not saying it's pleasing to leave anyone out, but it's a nice problem to have."
What's next?

St Johnstone next face improving Celtic in Glasgow, while Livingston travel north to face troubled Ross County on 23 October (15:00).