Title surge now back on track as Highlanders are swept aside

Feb 5 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON’S rampant Lions roared back to form and back into the First Division title race this weekend with a mauling of Ross County.

Manager Paul Hegarty’s troops dismissed talks of alleged strike threats and claims of a club in crisis to rip the Highlanders to shreds in what was a blistering first-half display.

Armand One, Murray Davidson and Dave Mackay had Livi three up by the break but they had to survive a late scare when Ritchie Hart and Sean Higgins scored to edge the visitors to within a goal of a share of the points.

But Leigh Griffiths killed County off with an injury time clincher to take Livingston to within just four points of leaders St Johnstone.

The Almondvale club are now just a point behind Partick Thistle in second spot but have the luxury of a game in hand on the Jags.

James McPake said his goodbyes to the fans pre-match after the club confirmed they had agreed a £50,000 fee to sell their former skipper to Coventry City before the end of the transfer window instead of letting him walk away for nothing at the end of his contract in May.

And in his absence a host of Livi stars stepped up the plate in a sensational first-half, seemingly keen on putting in their case to take the captains role in his stead.

The opener came after just 10 minutes when Frenchman Armand One, making his full debut for Livingston, outmuscled Andy Dowie and drilled the ball under the onrushing Derek Soutar.

Three draws on the bounce had dented Livingston’s title aspirations but in Ross County they faced a side who have never beaten them and that run looked like continuing when they doubled their lead just four minutes later.

Murray Davidson had spoken at length through the week about his hopes to score more goals and the midfielder headed home his fourth of the season when he met Tony McParland’s corner.

Lions custodian Roddy McKenzie had been a virtual spectator throughout the early stages of the game but he was called into action twice inside a minute just after the half hour mark to deny long range efforts from Dyron Daal and Hart.

But on the stroke of half-time Livi were awarded a penalty when Griffiths was hauled back by Alex Kiddie.

Full-back Dave Mackay assumed responsibility and cooly dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom left hand corner with the keeper diving right.

The Dingwall side came out for the second-half a different side and began to finally ask questions of the Livi defence, reshuffled in the absence of McPake, and Hart volleyed the ball home at the back post to spark hope of a revival.

And when Higgins curled home an exquisite free kick four minutes from the end they ensured a tense finish in West Lothian.

But as County pushed for a late equaliser they were left exposed in defence and they were emphatically punished by Griffiths who chased after a clearance from One before racing the full length of the park and prodded the ball under Derek Soutar.

It was Sparky’s second goal in as many games and his 12th goal of a prolific season and he reckons the title race is back on.

He said: “I'm delighted to have scored but I'm more happy for the club. It has been a difficult week for us.

“We were paid on Friday but the boss told us to forget about financial things and get on with playing football.

"We did what he said and everything worked out in the end.

"The three points we won are valuable since we're now just four behind leaders St Johnstone, who drew at Cappielow. Believe me, the title race is wide open again."

Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay, MacDonald, Griffin, Davidson, Innes, McParland, Miller (Talbot 73), Griffiths, Winters, One. Subs Not Used: Keaghan Jacobs, Hamill, Halliday, Martini.