Practice makes perfect for Livingston matchwinner Dylan Bahamboula

Livingston boss David Martindale insisted it was a case of practice makes perfect as Dylan Bahamboula's winner against St Johnstone was right off the training ground.

The Congolese international bagged his first goal for the club on 35 minutes as he cut in from the left and fired a right-footed effort that deflected beyond Remi Matthews.

It's something the Livi coaching staff have been working on for months, according to Martindale, while there was an added emphasis on hitting the target all week following last week's misfiring against Ross County.

The Lions failed to score despite 22 shots against the Staggies but were able to find the net to get the better of their Perth visitors.

Martindale said: "Nearly every training day this week was about hitting the target. Over the last few games we'd got into great positions and not hit the target.

"If you do that, you're letting the opposition off the hook. If you do hit the target, you might get a goal, a corner, a deflection, a penalty or maybe a second chance off a rebound so we worked on it in training.

"That's why Dylan ran straight over to the dugout when he scored. Since he came to Scotland that's what we've been working on with him. Honestly, Dylan has so much ability. He's one of these guys who might not be at Livingston very long if he applies himself."

He added: "He's a very exciting player when he's in the opposition half but he makes me very nervous when he's in our half if I'm honest. So it's trying to get him where and when to play."

It could have been a different story for the hosts had St Johnstone made the most of a blistering start.

Stevie May almost opened the scoring after 14 seconds with a drive from the edge of the box that had Shamal George scrambling