Livi grab win over Doonhamers

Nov 3 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

GOAL-HERO Marc McNulty reckons Andy McNeil’s penalty save was key to Livingston ending their spate of stalemates.

The Livi hitman netted a first half opener before Doonhamers striker Kevin Smith squandered the chance to level from the spot.

Mark Fotheringham made Queens pay by putting the game beyond any doubt with his first goal for the club midway through the second half to give draw specialists Livi only their second win of the season.

And despite getting on the scoresheet, McNulty believes the praise should be lavished on the Livi No1.

“Andy’s save was a massive moment for us,” he insisted

“It doesn't really go through your head during the game [that you might end up with another draw] but it was obviously a blow conceding the penalty.

“If they had scored it, that could have really changed the game.

“But big Andy has pulled off a great save and kept us ahead.

“It was a really crucial moment in the match.

“We got a massive boost from the save and went on to seal the win through Mark Fotheringham.”

Gary Bollan’s side were dominant from the outset, clearly utilising the atrocious weather condition to their advantage.

Livi mastered the elements quickly and reaped the reward just five minutes in when McNulty fired them ahead.

The striker, showing his outstanding turn of pace, skipped past two challenges with ease before curling a low effort beyond Lee Robinson from 20 yards.

The Lions should have doubled their lead 11 minutes later when some hesitant Queens defending gifted Bobby Barr a chance but, with just Robinson to beat, he sliced his shot wide.

Queens had to wait until midway through the first half for an opening but Allan Johnston couldn’t get his shot on target.

The home side switched to a 4-3-3 formation and their attack-minded change nearly paid off when Smith was brought down inside the box.

The striker brushed himself off to take the spot-kick himself but his low drive down the centre was blocked by the legs of McNeil.

Livi wrapped up the three points when Queens failed to clear Kyle Jacobs’ cross properly and the ball fell kindly for Fotheringham to blasted the ball into the net in the 64th minute.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH: Robinson, C Reid (Holt 70), Campbell, McGuffie, Higgins (McKenna 56), Johnston, Simmons, McLaughlin, A Reid, Smith, Brighton (McCusker 55). Subs not used: Atkinson, Smylie. Booked: McKenna.

LIVINGSTON: McNeil, Ross, C Barr, Watson, Talbot, Keaghan Jacobs, Kyle Jacobs, Fotheringham, B Barr, Deuchar, McNulty (Russell 80). Subs not used: Jamieson, Boulding, Brown, Beaumont.

Attendance: 1,556.

Referee: Brian Winter.

l Four Numbers (11.13.24.27): No Winners.Three Numbers (9.24.32): B Freeman. Two Numbers (8.14): Margaret Clark, Elaine Vaslot, Julie Dalgleish, Craig Sutherland, R Baxter, Ann McCallum, Peter Grimley, David Charles, T Hardie.

The draw was done by Simon Preece of Food creations. Next week’s jackpot is now £2200.