Griffiths keeps his cool and have-a-go Lions celebrate with a fully deserved draw

Mar 26 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Queen of the South 3 Livingston 3

LEIGH GRIFFITHS placed the ball on the spot.

It was deep into injury time and Livingston had been trailing 3-1 with just a minute of normal time to go.

But substitute David Winters had halved the deficit and now Griffiths had the chance to earn a share of the points from 12 yards.

He blanked out the jeers from the Queens fans and put his laces through the ball to earn a valuable point for the Lions.

It was Sparky’s 20th goal of a stunning season and moved the West Lothian side up to third — albeit temporarily until Dundee’s draw with Partick Thistle a day later.

It was another superb display from Paul Hegarty’s side who banished the rumours of financial turmoil to keep their title dream alive.

Livi had not won in Dumfries in nine years and that run looked set to continue when they fell behind after 36 minutes when Barry Wilson fired a 25 yard piledriver into the top corner.

It was a blow for the visitors who should have taken an early lead when both Griffiths and Armand One were denied by keeper Lee Robinson’s legs.

After the break the Doonhamers doubled their lead when Stephen Dobbie spun cleverly before arrowing a low 15-yard angled drive from the left across McKenzie and into the far corner of the net.

But Livi refused to buckle despite this setback.

Murray Davidson should have pulled a goal back for the Almondvale side when he was presented with a chance from eight yards but he shot harmlessly at Robinson.

Griffiths proved to be far more lethal in front of goal and just a minute later he threw the Lions a lifeline when he raced clear before poking the ball under the Queens’ number one.

It looked to be game over though six minutes from time when Dobbie curled home from 16 yards to restore the two goal advantage.

Hegarty had other ideas, however, and went for broke and his gamble paid off big time.

Sub David Winters made an instant impact prodding home with his first touch from close range a minute from the end.

And then in stoppage time Davidson was hauled down by Ryan McCann giving Livi a penalty.

So up stepped Griffiths who sent the keeper plunging right and the ball spearing low into the left-hand corner to earn his side a draw.

Livingston: McKenzie, Macdonald, Griffin, Innes, Malone, McParland, Davidson, Hamill, Halliday, Griffiths, One. Subs: De Vita, Miller, Winters.