The task couldn't have been simpler. Pick up three points against the league's worst team – who were enduring the longest winless run in Scottish top-flight history – and edge closer to securing a ninth straight season in the Premiership.
As we all know, though, things aren't always simple when it comes to St Mirren.
For months now, there's been a lingering feeling that Livingston were "due a win." Since their previous league victory against Falkirk on 9 August, they had drawn 12 games, thrown away 25 points from winning positions and come close to beating both Rangers and Hearts.
On Saturday in Paisley, that 31-match run finally came to a deserved end at the expense of Craig McLeish's men. In the first half the hosts were in control and carved out several decent opportunities, but were unable to put the ball in Jerome Prior's net.
After half-time, though, the Buddies were undone twice on the counter, with Alex Gogic's own goal and Scott Pittman's strike giving the visitors all three points and delaying their return to the Championship for another week at least.
For the Buddies, Kilmarnock's defeat at Pittodrie was the only bright spot on a bleak day as we remain two points clear of 11th spot.
Of course this will always go down as the season where major silverware came to Paisley for only the fifth time and the club got so, so close to another final.
But I'd quite happily pack in the season now, take the 10th-place finish and start afresh in July. Sadly the league doesn't offer deals like that and this Saturday brings a trip east to Dundee as Saints look for a first league away win outside Grangemouth in almost a year.
Gogic misses out, his 12th booking of the season earning him a two-match ban. Emergency goalie Ross Sinclair looks set to continue between the sticks as Shamal George is still to return from the injury that kept him out of the Scottish Cup semi-final loss.
To get over the line McLeish's side will need to dig deep, with this trip to Dens Park immediately followed by the ultimate six-pointer at home to Kilmarnock on 9 May.
During McLeish's brief reign there have been positives, including a gritty road win against Falkirk and impressive home victory against Aberdeen just three weeks ago.
If the Buddies are able to pull out performances like that in the next four games, another season at Scottish football's top table awaits.
But if last Saturday's second-half performance is repeated? Well, we'd be staring down the barrel of another 180 minutes – or more – of football against whoever emerges from the Championship dogfight.
For the sake of my blood pressure, let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Billy Hogg can be found at Misery Hunters
