After an opening period dominated by the visitors without any clear chances created, the Tangerines tried to push forward. Grant Brebner, who scored so spectacularly last week against Hearts tried a similar effort but this time it just went over.
Then an excellent move from Jim McIntyre and Stevie Crawford ended with the midfielder's curling effort being blocked for a corner.
From the resulting kick, Gary Kenneth towered above everyone to head a certain goal, but out of nowhere ex-United striker Derek Lilley appeared on the goal-line to nod the ball to safety.
The pressure intensified and it eventually paid dividends in the 38th minute when Scotland striker Crawford grabbed the opener.
A long Kenneth pass fortuitously came off the back of the striker, as he tussled with Gus Bahoken, into the path of Mark Kerr. The midfielder dragged the ball to the by-line before cutting the ball back for the striker to stoop and head the ball low into the far corner from ten yards.
Referee Kevin Toner was at the centre of controversy in the opening minute of the second period when, to the fury of the home crowd, he amazingly refused a blatant penalty after Emmanuel Dorado had scythed McIntyre as the striker teed himself up to score.
Still smarting at this, the Tangerines almost lost a goal immediately when Lilley battled for the ball on the line with Tony Bullock. Fortunately, Mark Wilson hooked the ball clear off the line.
Then Hassan Kachloul's wild shot enticingly flew across the face of the goal with two Livi players just failing to connect.
But it got worse for the Tangerines when the visitors equalised in the 61st minute. Gabor Vinzce played the ball wide on the right to Kachloul whose cross hit young defender Kenneth as he swiped the ball off his own keeper.
Eric Deloumeaux took advantage of the slip to fire to whack the ball home from eight yards.
Caretaker manager Gordon Chisholm threw on his subs and changed the formation as the Tangerines upped the ante.
Barry Robson's free-kick had the crowd on the feet, but it went narrowly wide then sub Jason Scotland weaved past four defenders, but Roddy McKenzie brilliantly blocked his shot.
Samuel's wonderful cutback in the 83rd minute seemed certain to be knocked into the goal by Scotland, but a desperate lunge by David McNamee somehow kept the ball out.