But, as confident the substitute was that he could get among the goals, by then he was expecting to net from the spot.

“When I was watching from the bench, I could see things were coming off Lee Miller up front and I thought that, if I got on and could get forward from midfield, there was a good chance I would get on the end of something,” said the 19-year-old.

“By the time I scored, though, I was thinking that we were going to penalties. I was definitely going to volunteer to take one, but it is not something you look forward to, so I’m glad we got the winner.

“It was a brilliant ball into the box and I’m just glad I put it in. I was a bit surprised I made the bench because I thought the likes of Stuart Duff would have been there ahead of me, but once I knew I was on it I just hoped I’d get my chance.

“I’ve had to wait since I came on against Falkirk on the first day of the season, but the manager has been brilliant and kept encouraging me to keep working for my chance.”

Robertson has now set his sights on further involvement when the Tangerines travel to Love Street to face high-flying SPL newcomers St Mirren on Saturday.

With Duff expected to come back into the reckoning for a starting place in that one, he may have to remain patient.

Striker Noel Hunt, meanwhile, is expected to be OK, despite limping off near the end of 90 minutes with a leg knock last night.

Hunt was in the wars last night and also gashed an arm, but should be fine in a day or so. Defender Lee Mair, missing for two games with a knee knock suffered in training last week, may also return to the squad this weekend.

The visit of Livi is likely to provide a sterner test, and Alex knows his men will have to be at their best to win.

“Livingston have started the season very well, but, to be honest, I always felt they would be among the teams who would be up there,” said Alex. “What we have to do is make sure we take the form we showed against Clyde last Sunday into this week’s game. If we can do that, then I’m confident we can get a result.”

Dundee had the Lions watched last night as they moved into the next round of the CIS Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win at Brechin.

Meanwhile, two of the trialists currently at the club — an Australian midfielder and a right-back from the Ivory Coast — are expected to return tomorrow when the first-team resume training after a day off.

The third, a Scottish-based striker currently with an Irish club, is set to miss out, but only because he has to travel to Ireland for a weekend fixture. All three took part in a practice match yesterday.

“The three of them did quite well, and the Aussie midfielder is technically very good, but it’s very difficult to make a judgement after only one day or so,” said Alex. “I’d like to see them all in a proper game situation and we may go over to Ireland to watch the striker play there.”

Alex confirmed the striker wasn’t former Killie man Gary McCutcheon, who is currently plying his trade at Portadown.

“Saints are going places, they have a great chance of winning the First Division, and I want to be a main part of that,” he said.

“When I came on last night, it was my intention of putting myself in the manager’s thoughts for a starting place this Saturday. I wanted to show him I want to play in that game. Sitting on the bench is not what I came here for.”

Saints will again be without the injured Allan McManus against Ross County, but Kevin Rutkiewicz could return.

Midfielder Neil Janczyk has joined Raith Rovers on loan. Janczyk is expected to feature in a closed-door game against Falkirk tonight and may also be included in the squad to take on Cowdenbeath at Stark’s Park on Saturday,