Lions have to be more ruthless warns gaffer
Livingston managed to salvage a point through the Betfred Cup’s penalty shoot-out bonus system after allowing an understrength Falkirk side to equalise in the last minute of a robust cup-tie.
A lack of ruthlessness was highlighted by Lions manager Gary Holt in analysis, issuing a warning that more experienced top-flight sides would heavily punish his charges.
“We have to be more clinical and I think we have to kill games off”, Holt stated.
“I have said to them, a team that has not caused you any problems, no shots, no nothing, no saves to make, if that happens in the league, it would be two points dropped.
“We have to be more clinical. It is things to work on. It is the first competitive game. It was a tough competitive game away from home so I’m pleased we got that extra point.”
Falkirk lined up with only three men on the bench as uncertainty still shrouds Ray Mckinnon’s men with a potential takeover hovering over the club and the Grangemouth-based outfit, understandably, started on the back foot.
The visitors almost struck early as a Keaghan Jacobs corner was headed back towards his own goal by Mark Durnan, forcing Cammy Bell into a goalline save.
Debutant goalkeeper Matija Sarkic endeared himself to the away support with a superb save from a Charlie Telfer shot that was destined for the top corner before the Premiership side broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half-time.
Scott Robinson played a superb defence-splitting pass to Lyndon Dykes who clipped his effort over the onrushing Bell to notch his first-ever goal in the Australian’s inaugural appearance since signing from Queen of the South.
Livi switched off and the Bairns managed to snatch a dramatic last-minute leveller as a close-range Lewis Toshney effort was deflected by Alan Lithgow before being parried by Sarkic. The rebound fell perfectly to Conor Sammon to slam home from inches out for his debut goal in the dark blue of Falkirk.
Sarkic further enhanced his reputation, saving penalties from Michael Tidser and Lewis Toshney as the Lions won the shoot out 4-3 to snatch the bonus point.