Livi lose unbeaten County record

Aug 5 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON were knocked out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Saturday but their performance against last season’s Scottish Cup finalists, Ross County, left manager Gary Bollan feeling very positive.

“I was pleased with the performance of the players but disappointed with the result – especially for the players and all the effort they put in,” he said.

“We have now performed well against both Scottish Cup finalists and we hope to take that form into Saturday.”

Despite the display, the Second Division side lost their proud 14-year unbeaten record against the 10-man Staggies at Victoria Park.

An even first-half burst into life 10 minutes before the break when Paul Di Giacomo stroked home the opener for County.

Livingston levelled just after the restart when new boy Iain Russell notched his first goal for the West Lothian side after latching on to a Liam Fox pass, rounding keeper Michael McGovern and firing home.

The pendulum of power looked to have swung in the direction of the visitors on 67 minutes when Iain Vigurs was sent off – handing Livingston a man advantage. But County regained the lead a minute after losing Vigurs when Andy Barrowman guided a header into the back of the net.

Livingston poured forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages with Bobby Barr and Robbie Winters both going close, but it wasn’t to be.

A few days earlier Livingston had met Dundee United in a friendly match, holding the SPL heavyweights to a 2-2 draw.

The Scottish Cup winners brought a strong side to the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium while Livi took the chance to take a look at a couple of trialists — one of whom was Craig Barr, who has now been signed.

United also named a pair of trialists, one with a familiar sounding name, Hasselbaink – first name Nigel, and nephew of former Holland and Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd. United took the lead two minutes before the break when Livi keeper Tony Bullock spilled a Jenno Myrie-Williams free-kick and Damian Casilinuovo turned in the loose ball.

Livingston drew level in the second half after United keeper Filipe Mentel hauled down Marc McNulty and the teenage slotted home the resulting spot-kick.

Myrie-Williams netted to edge United ahead again but the Lions refused to accept defeat, and they snatched an equaliser for a second time when Chris Malone pounced.

Bollan is now preparing his squad for their league campaign although he has revealed an injury concern over one of his mainstays.

He said: “We have a couple of bumps and bruises in the squad but most should be fine for Saturday.

“There is one, who shall remain nameless, who is touch-and-go but we hope he’ll be OK.

“The signing of Craig Barr is a boost to us as we feel he gives us good balance at the back.

“It was a hectic day for him on Saturday and he just made it in time, reaching Dingwall at 2.05pm.

“But at no stage did I think about leaving him out as his name was on the team sheet and he’d have played.”