HOPPY DAYS
Fast start cheers Livi gaffer David
David Hopkin insists his league leaders are back up to speed – after needing just 43 seconds to break down Brechin.
Liam Buchanan put Livingston one up inside a minute of their first clash since crashing out of the Scottish Cup to East Fife.
Craig Halkett and Scott Pittman added the extras as the Lions opened up an 11-point lead over Alloa.
Livi boss Hopkin said: “We had to make sure we got off to a good start. We did and it settled us down a wee bit.
“The intensity was there. We’ve worked on it all week and made sure we were up for the game.
“The last three or four weeks we’ve been dropping off teams and letting them play. But it’s something we worked on to make sure we dictate games again.”
The Lions, who had lost two of their last three league games, led after Buchanan smashed home following Brechin’s failure to deal with a long throw.
Halkett headed Mark Millar’s pinpoint cross into the top corner in 29 minutes before Graeme Smith did well to get a hand to Buchanan’s shot.
But Livi ’s patience in possession was rewarded 11 minutes after the break when Nicky Cadden’s shot squirmed through a sea of defenders and Pittman guided it beyond Smith.
City boss Darren Dods said: “It was the start we didn’t want.”