Raffaele De Vita guns down Queen’s to edge Livi towards title dream

Apr 1 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON sealed a win worth a king’s ransom on Saturday by narrowly beating Queen’s Park at the national stadium to move to within six points of the Third Division crown.

The Lions were not at their best against the Spiders at Hampden but Italian striker Raffaele De Vita fired the game’s only goal nine minutes from the end after being sent on as a sub.

With second-placed East Stirlingshire dropping another two league points by drawing at Stranraer, Livingston took another massive stride towards title glory.

But for long spells of the first half, it didn’t look like it being Livi’s day.

The West Lothian side had an early penalty appeal waved away after winger Bobby Barr went down in the box but it was the Spiders who bossed the opening 45 minutes.

Stevie Tosh was fortunate not to hand Queen’s Park the opener when he lost the ball on the edge of his own box to Paul Stewart, but his blushes were saved as the covering Cammy MacDonald snuffed out the danger.

The Spiders continued to create chances and Jamie Brough nodded a Barry Douglas cross over, while David Murray went close with a header.

Liam Fox blasted wide from 20 yards in a rare venture forward for the visitors, who were being penned in their own half by the hosts.

The league leaders improved after the break and skipper Fox should have done better after being played in by Barr but he blasted straight at Mark McGeown from 10 yards.

Queen’s Park created their best chance of the match on 68 minutes when winger Murray turned Paul Watson inside out on the left touchline before pulling a perfect ball back for Tony Quinn on the edge of the six-yard box but he fired well over.

Keaghan Jacobs had another effort for Livingston saved by McGeown before sub De Vita’s cameo turned the game on its head.

The Italian pounced on a dropped cross from Spiders’ No1 McGeown to smash the ball high into the net for what turned out to be the winner.

Fellow Lions sub Andy Halliday smacked the post in stoppage time but, in the end, De Vita’s goal was enough to extend Livi’s lead at the top to 13 points.

Delighted Livingston boss Gary Bollan admitted his side were fortunate to go in level at half-time.

“It was good to get the points but it was extremely hard fought and I would say for large parts of the first-half Queen’s Park were the better side,’ said Bollan.

“We let the players know at half-time that we were disappointed with how they had played but they were equally disappointed.

“I think we came out for the second half, changed things up a bit and our performance produced the goal it deserved.

“We weren’t at our best but we earned the three points and that is testament to the boys who have been great all season.”

Queen’s Park manager Gardner Speirs said: “I thought in the first-half we played really well and put plenty crosses into the box. But we didn’t take advantage when we were on top.

“I would say the second half was much more even and Livingston got in once or twice. But I’m pleased with the efforts we put in against a side who are well clear at the top.”

Courier Man of the Match: De Vita.

Livingston: McKenzie, Griffin, Watson, MacDonald, Malone (Halliday), Tosh (Sinclair), Fox, Keaghan Jacobs, Barr, J Hamilton (De Vita), Winters. Subs not used: McDowall, Devon Jacobs.