LIVINGSTON 2 Mullin (pen 41), Mackin (82) QOS 2 Stirling (70), Lyle (76)
MANAGERS David Hopkin and Gary Naysmith were like two chess grandmasters at the Tony Macaroni Arena yesterday, and while Naysmith’s inspired triple substitution looked set to win the day, one of Hopkin’s replacements deservedly rescued a draw for Livi.
With nine minutes left, the West Lothian club was facing only its second defeat of the season before Dylan Mackin bundled in from six yards.
“We showed great character to come back,” said Hopkin. “When you’re on top, you’ve got to go on and score a second goal, but we pass when we should shoot and shoot when we should pass.”
Naysmith added: “But I think it’s a point gained rather than two dropped. We weren’t at our best, but we’ve come to a difficult ground and gone away with a draw, so I’ve got to be the happier manager.”
Livi’s Danny Mullen attracted early concern when he fell into the away dugout while trying to regain possession, and received no sympathy from Queens fans in the 41st minute when he tumbled under the challenge of John Rankin.
Ref Steven McLean pointed to the spot and Josh Mullin stepped up to slam a ferocious right-foot drive into the top corner.
As so often, Stephen Dobbie was the visitors’ main threat, driving at the home defence at every opportunity and almost catching keeper Neil Alexander out with an audacious free kick from long range.
Alexander was then required to block an angled effort from Lyndon Dykes after Chris Kane’s subtle flick had created the shooting chance.
Livi appeared in control early in the second half, so Naysmith took drastic action on the hour mark in a bid to change the game.
On came Andy Stirling, Derek Lyle and James McFadden, 10 years on from his famous winning goal for Scotland in Paris, but it was Stirling rather than the ageing “cheeky boy” who pulled Queens level.
Stirling’s 25-yard thunderbolt brought back fond memories of McFadden’s golden left foot and within another six minutes, fellow substitute Lyle grabbed another spectacular goal for the visitors when he chipped Alexander from well outside the penalty box.