Two goals in the final 15 minutes rescued three points for St Mirren at Livingston in their opening match of the Betfred Cup as David Clarkson netted a spectacular brace in the 3-2 win.

Clarkson gave the Buddies the lead at half-time, rifling a volley from 20 yards into the net after being set up by John Sutton.

Saints then allowed David Hopkin's side back into the game. First Nicky Cadden finished from the edge of the box, before substitute Dale Carrick scored with his first touch to put Livi ahead. Both goals should've been defended better.

But the game would swing again as a Lewis Morgan cross, somewhat fortuitously, found its way into the net. Then Clarkson struck again in the 82nd minute, another volley from range giving Livi goalkeepr Liam Kelly no chance.

St Mirren boss Alex Rae named just six substitutes, perhaps making a point to owner in waiting Gordon Scott who was at Almondvale. There were no strikers among the substitutes with Rae looking to add two front men to complete his squad

Livingston started the game with purpose, Alan Lithgow forced Scott Gallacher into action from a set piece as the Saints goalkeeper tipped over the bar, but the offside flag was up in any case.

The in form Clarkson was first to threaten for the away side, after a cross from the left, the ball broke to the striker but his shot was blocked by Kelly at point blank range.

Buddies defender Gary Irvine then prevented his team from going behind. A Josh Mullen corner from the left after 10 minutes evaded everyone and was looping in at the far corner. But Irvine was perfectly placed on the line to head clear.

It was another experienced campaigner for Saints who impacted the game at the other end as Clarkson continued his impressive pre-season form with a terrific volley to open the scoring. In the 13th minute Rocco Quinn lofted the ball upfield for Sutton, he nodded back for his strike partner who struck the ball on the volley from the edge of the box into the top corner leaving Kelly no chance.

The goal seemed to stifle Livi as they struggled to create in the final third. Mikey Miller had a go from range but it was straight at Gallacher.

Cadden cut in from the left to curl in a strike from 20 yards after 28 minutes, it had Gallacher worried but fizzed over the bar.

Cadden went close again soon after when his free-kick from 20 yards forced Gallacher to touch around the post at full stretch.

Morgan took matters into his own hands as Saints looked to double their lead. He drove at the Livi back line from the left wing, evading two challenges until he was in on goal, but his shot was too close to Kelly who easily blocked.

Half-time: Livingston 0 St Mirren 1 It took Livi only only five minutes of the second half to draw level. Cadden picked up the ball on the left, Jason Naismith afforded him too much space and the midfielder finished from 20 yards with his left foot beating Gallacher at his near post. The goalkeeper and Naismith could've done more to prevent the goal.

The West Lothian side would hit the front in the 69th minute. Cadden was once again allowed too much room on the left by Naismith. He swung in a dangerous cross which found substitute Dale Carrick at the front post to finish on the volley with his first touch.

Saints goalkeeper Gallacher surprisingly stayed rooted to his line despite the ball arriving into his six yard box before Carrick made contact.

Just when it seemed that Saints wouldn't get back level they found the net through the unlikely source of Morgan's right foot. The left winger found himself on the right, he hit the byline and clipped a cross to the back post but it looped beyond Kelly and into the net.

Incredibly the game would swing back St Mirren's way once again in what was turning out a thrilling second half and it was that man Clarkson again with another special goal in the 82nd minute. The ball dropped to him 20 yards out and he struck another volley beyond Kelly and into the top corner.

Livingston: Kelly, Miller, Lithgow, Crighton, Longridge, Sinclair (Pittman, 60) Halkett, J Mullen, Cadden, Buchanan (Carrick, 67), D Mullen (Orr, 77).

Subs not used: Jamieson, Knox, Byrne, Watt.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Naismith, Webster, Baird, Irvine, Morgan, Quinn (Stewart, 89), Mallan, Gallacher (Hutton, 67) Sutton, Clarkson.

Subs not used: Langfield, Gordon, Flanagan, O'Keefe.