Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Everything is coming together
Livingston ...1 Albion Rovers ...2
Goals from Steven Boyd and Ryan Wallace secured a fantastic win for Albion Rovers at Almondvale.
The Coatbridge part-timers moved into the promotion play-off zone thanks to a strike in each half from their in-form frontmen.
Liam Buchanan pulled a goal back in the dying seconds for Livi.
But Rovers held their nerve on Saturday to the delight of the travelling support.
Doing well but capable of better
What will be exciting for Rovers’ management team is the fact that they are a point ahead of where they were last season – but have plenty of room for improvement.
Boss Darren Young will be the first to put his hand up and say his team is capable of producing better performances. In recent weeks, they have looked a lot more like the side from last term.
Deadly duo
You can’t help but feel that Rovers are onto a winner with Boyd and Wallace forming part of their attacking unit.
That’s them up to seven goals as a partnership but it’s not just their ability to find the back of the net.
They are playing well and causing problems which is giving belief and confidence to the team.
Momentum is building
Rovers have won four of their last five games and are in good shape for a tough run of fixtures which include going to title favourites Alloa Athletic, a visit from local rivals Airdrieonians and dates with Stranraer and Brechin City.
Off day for Livi
Livingston will be upset at not capitalising on home advantage.
Managers’ views
Livingston boss David Hopkin said:“It was a frustrating afternoon for us. We were poor and it was uncharacteristic of what we can do.
“You’re going to have that with a young team. I’m disappointed but credit to Albion Rovers.”
Rovers player/manager Young said:“Everything we worked on in training was taken into the game and worked perfectly.”
Stats a fact
LIVINGSTON: Kelly; Miller, Crighton, Halkett*, Longridge; Mullin (Knox 72), Byrne, Pittman (Carrick 73), Cadden (Watt 64); Mullen, Buchanan. SUBS NOT USED: Maley(gk), Neill, Sinclair, Ogilvie. ALBION ROVERS: R M Stewart; Reid*, R D unlop, M Dunlop, McBride; Ferry, Davidson; Wallace* (Shields 88), Boyd (Fisher 74), Willis; R C Stewart (Turnbull 52). SUBS NOT USED: Potts(gk), Archibald, McCann, Gilmour. REFEREE: Craig Charleston. ATTENDANCE: 702. *booked