Livi in fine form as travel sickness clears

Apr 9 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON ended their away day blues to claw back league leaders St Johnstone by two points as the title race enters its final five games.

The Lions’ first win on the road in seven attempts surely condemned Clyde to relegation, but the Bully Wee have even bigger concerns as the possibility of liquidation and the end of 132 years in the Scottish game is a real one.

Joe Hammil’s first goal of the season was the difference for Livi, who capitalised on a draw between first and second placed Saints and Partick Thistle to move to just eight points off top spot.

Paul Hegarty’s championship dark horses have three home games in the run-in and trips to Dingwall and Glasgow where their clash with second-placed Thistle could have a massive bearing on the SPL title.

There is no doubt St Johnstone remain favourites to take the crown but Livi will certainly not make it easy for them and believe they can pip them at the post.

Murray Davidson should have fired Livi ahead after just 12 minutes when David Winters prodded the ball through but he fired straight at goalkeeper David Hutton.

The travelling fans from West Lothian didn’t have to wait long for something to cheer about as they broke the deadlock just 10 minutes later. Tony McParland whipped in a free-kick which was partially cleared and Hamill was quickly on to the loose ball and he hammered it into the net from the edge of the box.

The game threatened to boil over on 57 minutes when debutant Robbie Winters tumbled under a challenge from Danny Griffin.

Referee Colin Brown dismissed the Clyde appeals for a penalty and a just a few minutes later the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Willie McLaren’s off-the-ball kick at Gary Miller earned him the first squeeze of the shower gel.

Eight minutes from time Livingston had the chance to kill off the 10 men when Leigh Griffiths’ tumble under a Billy Gibson challenge earned them a penalty.

But Dave Mackay, back in the side after a three-week injury lay-off, watched as his penalty was beaten away by Hutton.

Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay, Griffin, Innes (Miller), Malone, McParland (Fox), Davidson, Hamill, Winters (De Vita), Griffiths, One. Subs not used: McDowall, Halliday.