The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Livi take slim advantage
PLAY_OFF FINAL: Championship side hold upper hand for second leg at Firhill
LIVINGSTON 2 PARTICK THISTLE 1
Livingston are one game away from Premiership football after seeing off Partick in the first leg of the play-off final at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
No team has been promoted through the play-offs since 2014, but David Hopkin’s side are just a draw away from the top flight after a deserved win.
They came into the final on a high after edging out Dundee United, but after Kris Doolan scored early on it looked as though it could be a long evening for the West Lothian outfit.
However, Keaghan Jacobs scored and Scott Pittman added a second on a night when the hosts missed several chances to put the tie out of reach for the Premiership’s 11th-paced side.
Doolan had already threatened inside the area and he did not need a second invitation as he gleefully accepted Baily Cargill’s brilliant cross from deep on the left to head into the corner. Livi hit back just three minutes later. It was Jacobs who claimed the goal after a first-time effort back across Tomas Cerny from the right. The Thistle keeper could not get a firm enough hand to the ball and saw it slip into the net.
Livingston have attracted attention for their physical approach this season, but there were hefty challenges flying in from both sides as the Jags were forced deeper inside their own half.
Jordan Thompson drilled wide before Cerny pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Lee Miller’s header.
The pace dropped after the break, but once again it was the second tier side who started to dominate.
Pittman, who scored a memorable winner at Tannadice in the semi-finals, almost gave the Lions the lead just after the hour, but Cerny saved well.
The hosts soon had the advantage they deserved after substitute Josh Mullin burst down the right and drilled a low ball across the area from the byeline and Pittman made the run to the near post to prod it into the roof of the net.
After seeing out the remainder of the game, Livingston ensured they would only need a draw at Firhill on Sunday to secure their place in the top flight.