IT’S GONE FROM CADD TO WORSE

Freezing Ton fans chilled to bone by Nick’s sizzler ALL LAST NIGHT’S BIG MATCH ACTION

NICKY CADDEN’S sensational 25-yard strike through the snow at Cappielow could end up being one of the defining moments of the Championship season.

The winger impressed throughout the 90 minutes in a keenly-contested affair between these promotion rivals.

Cadden silenced the freezing home crowd at the very start of the second-half with a scintillating goal certain to strengthen the Lions’ case for a place in the Premiership.

Gaffer David Hopkin said: “We couldn’t get to grips with Morton in the first half. Some of our players just thought we were going to win the game.

“At half-time I said the least we wanted was a 0-0 draw. We had to get the tempo up and did.

“We scored a wondergoal from Cadden. He’s a fantastic talent. He’s got a left foot like a wand and we need to tell him to use it.

“It’s a fantastic run. I didn’t expect three points with the way we played first half.”

With Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in the stand ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Cup with Ton, the home side dominated possession in the first half.

And Morton boss Jim Duffy may rue Mark Russell’s missed chance 30 minutes into the contest as Livi extended their lead in second to eight points.

In-form Cappielow midfielder Gary Harkins was first to go for goal, however, his low drive drifted harmlessly wide of the far post.

Scott Pittman then found himself in a similar position on the edge of the box for Livi but his mis-controlled effort found the terraces.

Morton hearts were in mouths when goalie Derek Gaston fumbled in his own six-yard box. Livi’s Ryan Hardie was quickest to react but his goalbound effort was deflected behind.

And Gaston was centre of attention once more as he spilled the resultant corner into his own net. But ref Euan Anderson ruled the goal out for an infringement by Lee Miller to the relief of the home support.

Yet the chance of the half fell to Morton’s Russell, thanks to the hard work of John Baird, who pressurised Shaun Byrne and played the winger through on goal.

Russell’s low drive looked all the way a goal until the ball clipped the outside of the post and drifted harmlessly wide before the break. But within a minute of the start of the second half, Cadden stunned the Cappielow faithful with a rasping drive from 25 yards, which flew past helpless Gaston into the net.

As the Ton failed to readjust after conceding, Pittman waltzed through the home defence but couldn’t divert past Gaston when a second goal seemed inevitable.

In spite of much huff and puff from a shellshocked Ton, Livi defended admirably to extinguish the threat of an equaliser from the home side.

Captain Craig Halkett and Declan Gallagher expertly marshalled the visiting defence, and Morton chances were severely limited.

The late pressure didn’t quite materialise for Duffy’s men and a resilient Livi held on at Cappielow – and a vital three points in the push for promotion.

Ton gaffer Duffy said: “The one bit of quality was the goal. It was a fantastic finish from Cadden.”

Morton – Gaston, Murdoch, O’Ware, Lamie, Doyle, McHugh, Tidser (Ross 70), Harkins, Strapp, Russell (Oliver 83), Baird. Subs not used: Brennan, Tiffoney, Langan, Purdue.

Livingston – Alexander, Lithgow, Halkett, Gallagher, Robinson (Jacobs 40), Pittman, Byrne, De Vita (McMillan 56), Cadden, Miller (Longridge 75), Hardie. Subs not used: Maley, Buchanan, Mullin, Boyd.

Euan Anderson

Referee:

JIM McINALLY hailed his Peterhead players for proving they’re not a one-man team after holding off a Clyde fightback to move top of League Two.

First-half strikes from Russell McLean and Jack Leitch saw the Blue Toon climb above Montrose on goal difference.

But they had a nervy finish after David Goodwillie pulled one back midway through the second half.

McInally said: “With a quarter of the season to go, we’re in the firing line but I am delighted we’re up there.

“That is nearly three we have played without Rory McAllister and have taken seven points so are showing we’re not a one-man team.”

Peterhead went ahead in the 36th minute when Chris Johnston’s low cross was swept home by McLean.

Three minutes before the break Jamie Stevenson picked out Leitch who rifled an angled shot beyond the helpless Kyle Gourlay.

Goodwillie pulled one back in the 65th minute when he drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Clyde boss Danny Lennon said: “It’s disappointing not go back down the road with anything other than a spirited second half.”