Rovers fail to escape claws of the Lions

Albion Rovers ............... 0 Livingston ..................... 1

Callum Carson

A dubious penalty proved to be the undoing of Albion Rovers against Livingston as the Lions sunk their teeth into the Cliftonhill men late in the day.

Top of the table Livi struck in the dying embers of the game when Nicky Cadden buried his spot-kick after Dale Carrick was brought down by Ross Dunlop.

It proved to be the difference between the two sides in a thoroughly dull encounter in Coatbridge.

Livingston went into the game knowing a win would keep them top but a Rovers victory would have presented their Monklands rivals Airdrie with the chance to overtake the league leaders.

In the end Livi got the job done amid a Scottish Cup hangover for Rovers.

Ryan Wallace squandered the game’s first chance when he fired well wide on nine minutes after finding some space in the area.

Both keepers had little to do but Rovers called Livi’s Liam Kelly into action midway through the half.

Steven Boyd’s determined run set up a chance for Ross Davidson, whose fizzing effort from 25 yards was brilliantly tipped wide of the post.

Livingston enjoyed more possession and territorial advantage after the interval but were unable to break down a stubborn Rovers defence.

Ross Stewart did well to keep out Liam Buchanan’s effort after he was played in by Dale Carrick and the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate.

Just as it looked as though Rovers would gain a valuable point against the league leaders, Livingston were handed a golden opportunity to snatch all three points in the 89th.

Referee David Munro pointed to the spot, which allowed ex-Airdrieonian Nicky Cadden to steal the three points and leave the Albion Rovers faithful feeling frustrated.

Rovers move down one place in the table to sixth, six points off the promotion play-off position.

They also sit clear of the relegation play-off by the same margin ahead of their visit to Hampden to face mid-table Queens Park on Saturday.