Torn apart in the Lions’ den
finally broken 10 minutes after half-time as a set-piece from Souda paid dividends.
The winger was able to find Lamie at the back post and the defender nodded his cross down for Jon Guthrie to force the ball over the line from close range.
Kilmarnock simply could not defend crosses and when Stevie Lawless skinned Hamalainen on the right flank in the 65th minute, the result was not in doubt.
The petite winger found the onrushing Dykes at the near post and the striker flashed his header past Branescu.
The game was over as a contest with 10 minutes remaining as Gary Holt’s men displayed their ruthessness on the counter attack with Dykes feeding Lawless, after Craig Sibbald had set the striker free.
The winger cut inside his marker then drove his shot under Branescu for the third goal of the afternoon.
Whilst Holt highlighted the physiological toughness in his side to battle fatigue, Angelo Alessio was not as confident his charges would battle through the barriers.
“I think Livingston deserved this win”, Alessio stated. “We conceded three easy goals and they played well. They played better than us. We have to reflect, to understand, to think and work hard.”
LIVINGSTON:
(4-5-1) M Sarkic 6, A TaylorSinclair 6, C Sibbald 7(K Jacobs 86), R Lamie 7, J Guthrie 6, M Bartley 6, S Pittman 6, S Lawson 6, S Lawless 9 (S Robinson 83), A Souda 8 (A Lithgow 89), L Dykes 7. Subs not used – R Stewart, J Mcmillan, H Odoffin, C Erskine. KILMARNOCK:
(4-3-3) L Branescu 8, S O’donnell 4, A Bruce 6, A Power 5, R Mckenzie 5 (D Thomas 72), G Dicker 4, E Brophy 5, L Millar 5 (C Burke 77), N Hamalainen 6, M El Makrini 5 (O Sow 69), D Del Fabro 5. Subs not used – J Koprivec, C Johnson, S Jackson, I Wilson.
was unplayable in the second half – setting up Dykes and scoring himself to seal the victory.
STEVIE LAWLESS
TURNING