Livi United boss upset at Spartans draw

Oct 6 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

ANDY Johnstone reckons Livi United were robbed of two points after what-seemed a last minute winner against Spartans was chalked off.

A frantic game saw his Livi United side level at 4-4 when John Murphy headed home minutes from full time.

But the goal was disallowed much to the upset of the United gaffer.

The United boss told Courier Sport: “It was a really good performance from us but only coming away with the draw was a real kick in the teeth.

“I felt we scored a perfectly good goal to win it at the end and I still don’t understand why it wasn’t given.

“We’d have probably taken the draw before the game but it ended up being very disappointing.

“We deserved the win with the performance, but that’s football.”

Spartans took the lead on 35 minutes from a direct freekick.

Livi struck back with Graham Crawford before Spartans again took the lead.

Two minutes before half time Spartans lost a goal from a freekick after opting not to set up a wall. Lee Docherty took full advantage of the slip-up, levelling the match at 2-2 going into the break.

Livi took the lead for the first time in the match, attacking down the left and sending a low ball into the box which fell to Crawford who grabbed his second of the afternoon.

Spartans instantly pegged Livi back to 3-3 from a spot-kick in what was fast becoming a match to remember.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Chic Pearson gave Livi the lead making the score 4-3.

But again Livi couldn’t hold onto the lead as Spartans grabbed a late equaliser making it 4-4.

Then, in the dying minutes, came the big talking point of the match as Murphy headed home what looked like a well-deserved winner before the referee chalked it off for an infringement.

Livi United take on Dalkeith Thistle this weekend.