Scottish League Cup: Reaction as Livingston beat St Mirren to reach final

1. Livingston will play St Johnstone in final on 28 February
2. Robinson heads in only goal early on after Ambrose effort hits bar

Bye for now...

Before that 28 February final, we are back with live coverage of a full programme of Premiership games on Wednesday.

Victories Livingston entertain Kilmarnock, while St Mirren have to lift themselves off the floor as they face Dundee United at Tannadice.

However, game of the night involves another team looking to shake off their semi-final blues as fourth-place Hibs entertain leaders Rangers.

Chasing reigning champions Celtic host Hamilton Academical.

Join us then...

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Livingston manager David Martindale and scorer Scott Robinson will enjoy their evening

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So who will lift the League Cup?

Will Livingston's momentum continue as they seek a second win in their second final? Or will St Johnstone win for the first time in their third final appearance?

Keep the conversation going by tweeting @BBCSportScot.

No favourites for final?

Steven Thompson

Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

I don't think there is a clear favourite for the final. If Livingston manage to maintain the run they are on for the next five weeks before the final, they might shade it as favourites because of the momentum, but St Johnstone will fancy themselves. It is a massive opportunity for both clubs

St Mirren aim for top six

Neil McCann

Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

There's a pride there from Jim Goodwin because he knows his side didn't just give up and surrender. His next fight is the league. Can they get top-six? That's the next challenge to throw down

Robinson 'influential'

Goodwin claims 'clear penalty'

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin also addressed his side's penalty claims, first for Nicky Devlin's challenge on Joe Shaughnessy and then Jon Obika's fall in the second-half, for which he was booked for diving.

"We watched it back at half-time with the analyst and it's a clear penalty kick," he said of the Shaughnessy incident. "The one in the second half is not a penalty, big Jon has a great bit of skill but unfortunately goes over a little bit too easy. I thought the referee got that one right."

'There's tears in there' - Goodwin

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin says he is "proud" of his beaten players.

"We're bitterly disappointed," he tells BBC Scotland. "The boys are lying on floor in there. There's tears and a lot of sorrow because we had a big chance to get to the final.

"I asked them to come off having not let anyone down and have no regrets. There's regrets for not getting to the final, but there's no regrets about the amount of effort they put in.

"You need a bit of luck in a game like this, but I don't think we got any today."

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'Wee Aguero was absolutely fantastic'

Livingston manager David Martindale has been basking in the glow of victory on Sportsound.

"Delighted," he said. "I'm absolutely thrilled for the community, staff, the board, everyone connected with the club. I don't think anyone remembers how you get to the final, because at times it wasn't pretty, but who really cares?

"It was two honest teams, giving it everything and leaving nothing on the park."

On goalscorer Scott Robinson and his pestering of opposition defenders: "He's a wasp, wee Aguero. I thought he was absolutely fantastic, his link-up play, and he took his goal really well."

And there was also a bit of stick for defender Efe Ambrose for his header against the bar that was pounced on by scorer Scott Robinson.

"He's lucky we've won," Martindale laughs. "I think it was Parkhead he nearly hit the ball over the stand from an open goal. At least he hit the bar and kept it alive this time!"

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Livingston captain Marvin Bartley and David Martindale were delighted with the win

'Defending was brilliant'

Steven Thompson

Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

St Mirren left everything out there and, if it had gone to extra-time, you would have backed them to win it, but credit to Livingston - some of their defending was brilliant. St Mirren didn't take their big chances when they came to them

'Best changing-room I've been in'

Livingston's match-winner, Scott Robinson, is a happy man on Sportsound.

"Backs to the wall at times, especially the last 15 minutes, painful to watch," he says. "A magnificent achievement from us.

On manager David Martindale, Robinson says: "He deserves this, he's been where he's been and to where he is now is magnificent.

"I can say this, it's the best changing-room I've been in. The spirit's there for all to see, we run ourselves into the ground and we're getting the rewards right now."

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Determined Livingston

Neil McCann

Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

I think the lack of fear is good for Livingston. St Mirren pushed them back in the second half, but they are not going to roll over. This Livingston train rolls on and you don't see it stopping

'Amazing story'

Tom English

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

It's an amazing story, David Martindale. He's got his fit-and-proper-person hearing on Tuesday, 11 games unbeaten. I'm delighted for him

Robinson leaves Buddies in jam

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Scott Robinson scored Livingston's winner at Hampden

'Exciting finale'

Tom English

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

They had five reasonable chances in the second-half, but they couldn't make any of them stick. It wasn't a great game, but a very exciting finale as St Mirren threw everything at it

FULL-TIME Livingston 1-0 St Mirren

Scott Robinson's 10th-minute header is enough to send Livingston into their second-ever League Cup final.

It extends their unbeaten run under David Martindale to 11 games and they will face St Johnstone in the final on 28 February.

Livi just had the edge in the first half but had to withstand constant pressure in the second 45, but St Mirren did not have the cutting edge necessary.

It looks all over as the pressure is relieved on Livingston as Marvin Bartley wins a foul.

Max Stryjek, who looks to be struggling through injury, lets a cross slip through his arms, but a free-kick is given for a foul on the fortunate Livi goalkeeper.

Five minutes of stoppage time. Still hope for St Mirren!

Another brilliant challenge from Jack Fitzwater deflects wide a back-post shot from Jon Obika.

Penalty?

Neil McCann

Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Big Jon Guthrie's got a big hold of his jersey - and fair play to him because he knows he can't get off the floor because Shaughnessy's pinned him. He does everything to make it difficult for him