The French connection sends rejuvenated Livi into the third round of the Co-op cup

Aug 28 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE Saints came marching into West Lothian buoyed by a recent 2-0 win over Livingston but they were sent packing by Roberto Landi’s Lionhearts.

Frenchman Jean Cuenca’s extra-time winner shattered the Perth sides resistance and booked Livingston a place in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Third Round.

It was Livingston’s seventh win in eight competitive matches since Landi took over the club - a remarkable turnaround.

St Johnstone may have beaten their hosts on the opening day of the season but it was the Lions who came into the match as the form side.

St Johnstone had posed little threat in the first-half but just a minute into the second period they grabbed the lead through substitute Liam Craig.

One of the trademarks of Landi’s rejuvenated Lions has been their refusal to accept defeat and they again displayed this trait as they bounced back.

A Tony McParland corner from the right was headed goalwards by Innes before bouncing into the net via Griffiths for his seventh goal of a prolific campaign.

Less than five minutes into extra-time Cuenca spun and sent a dipping half-volley into the bottom corner following good work from Gary Miller.

Livi needed two late stops from Roddy McKenzie, making his second debut at Almondvale, to keep out Colin Samuel but they held firm to book their place into the third round of the cup and a chance to be drawn against one of the big teams from the SPL

Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay, Hamill, McPake, Fox (Miller 61), Innes, Quinn, Davidson, Griffiths, Cuenca (Smith 115), McParland (Cave 61). Subs Not Used: McDonald, Martini.