Fuming Hegarty as Lions throw away two points

Mar 12 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ANOTHER afternoon of desperate defending cost Livingston a deserved win at basement boys Airdrie at the weekend and left boss Paul Hegarty fuming that his side threw away another two points.

A staggering eight goals were shared at Excelsior Stadium but Livingston looked to have the handcuffs on the points on 60 minutes when, as they led 4-2, the Diamonds were reduced to ten men.

But a remarkable comeback from the hosts saw them defy their numerical disadvantage, peg the Lions back and snatch a share of the spoils.

The result left Livi just a few points ahead of Clyde and the relegation play-off spot before Livingston restored their cushion with a midweek win over Dunfermline.

Airdrie took an eighth minute lead when Joe Cardle cut in from the left, skipped past a series of Livingston players and centred for John Baird to draw first blood.

Murray Davidson went close to forcing an equaliser with a diving header but Livi did turn the match on it’s head inside a whirlwind 60 seconds on the stroke of half-time.

Leigh Griffiths headed Livi level on 42 minutes and less than a minute later Frenchman Armand One volleyed home a Tony McParland cross to edge them ahead.

Seven minutes after the break One pounced again when he lashed home from 20 yards as the visitors raced 3-1 up.

But the goal acted as the catalyst for a thrilling 16 minutes which saw classy finishing, dodging defending, a moment of madness and a red card.

Paul Di Giacomo headed home for Airdrie on 53 minutes before Griffiths restored Livi's two-goal advantage when he burst clear on the right and netted from 12 yards.

In amidst the celebrations for the visiting players and fans, the red mist descended on Airdrie winger Cardle who proceeded to charge up to his captain Marc Smyth and push him in the chest and was sent packing.

But Baird pulled a goal back just three minutes later and then Smyth made it four goals apiece.

Livingston: McKenzie, Mackay (Torrance), Griffin, MacDonald, Talbot, Miller (Keaghan Jacobs), McParland, Davidson, Griffiths, One, Hamill. Subs not used: De Vita, Winters, McDowall.