Livingston lose to Forfar after last minute winner

Dec 17 2009 West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON fell to defeat for the first time in ten matches after the West Lothian club were caught out by an injury time sucker punch.

The result saw the gap between the league leading Lions and the chasing pack narrowed to just two points.

Graham Gibson’s second minute opener set the visitors on their way but Andy Halliday, a January target for several clubs across the border, levelled before the break.

But Forfar stunned their hosts and handed them a first home league loss of the campaign when Stephen Tulloch netted in the last minute.

It was a harsh result on the title chasing Lions and one which boss Gary Bollan admits he feared was coming when he saw his side concede a dangerous free kick in the dying moments.

He said: “When they got the free-kick I sensed the danger.

“We didn't create enough clear chances.”

The Loons roared out of the traps with Gibson rocketing a volley in via the inside of the post after barely 120 seconds.

But Halliday showed exactly why he ranks at the top of several manager’s Christmas wish-lists with a stunning solo run past three sluggish Forfar stoppers and unstoppable strike into the top corner to level matters.

Halliday almost followed that up with a second goal soon after but he was denied by a flying stop from keeper Ally Brown.

Livingston turned up the heat on the Loons after the break but they couldn't find a way past the stubborn rearguard.

Robbie Winters was denied by the busy Brown while stopper Danny Griffin had a double effort blocked and Raffaele De Vita fired into the side netting with a shot on the turn.

The West Lothian club poured forward in search of a winner but they were caught out deep into stoppage time when they lost a dramatic winner when Tulloch rose highest to nod Martin Fotheringham’s freekick into the net.

Livingston: McKenzie, Watson, Talbot, Sinclair (Kyle Jacobs), Griffin, MacDonald, Fox (Keaghan Jacobs), Hamill, Halliday, R Winters, De Vita (D Winters 58). Subs not used: Moyes, McDowall.