Livingston rage at winner

Jan 8 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON fell to defeat in freezing Fife but the Lions were left raging due to the controversial nature of the winner.

The games only 'goal' arrived after 65 minutes when Greg Shields nodded goalwards.

Livi winger Tony McParland was guarding the far post and headed clear but far-side assistant referee Andy Tait insisted the ball had crossed the line.

The decision prompted angry protests from the Livingston players – and television pictures seemed to back up their claims the ball didn’t cross the line.

It was a first defeat at the helm for boss Paul Hegarty and one which was tough to take for the travelling fans.

Callum Elliot had Livi’s best effort in the first half but his deflected drive landed on the roof of the net.

The Pars had a series of efforts themselves with Graham Bayne going close after Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie was caught off his line.

Bayne was again wasteful in front of goal after the break but this time he could point to a superb stop from McKenzie.

And Rory Loy was denied the breakthrough by a superb sliding goal-line block by Chris Innes.

From the resulting Stephen Glass corner Shields glanced a header over McKenzie where McParland was on hand to clear and apparently prevent 1-0.

But the controversial goal was given and Livingston were left to chase the points.

Joe Hamill had a late chance to rescue a share of the spoils but he couldn’t find a way past Paul Gallacher.

Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay, McPake, Innes, Talbot, McParland, Quinn, Miller (Jacobs), Hamill, Griffiths, Elliot. Subs not used: Martini, Cave, McDonald, Smith.