Hat-trick for Dykes seals victory... left, right and centre
Lyndon Dykes admits he will remember his first senior hat-trick for the rest of his life as he ensured Ross County were feeling pig-sick in a 4-0 thrashing.
The Australian also became the first Lions player to net three goals in a top-flight game.
The norovirus winter bug had ravaged the Staggies squad midweek as 10 players fell ill, leading to suggestions the Dingwall side could request a postponement.
In the end, captain Liam Fontaine, Michael Gardyne and Brian Graham were the only changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock a week earlier.
But County looked like they were still feeling the effects of a nightmare build-up as they failed to lay a glove in collapsing to a heavy loss.
The hosts didn’t look back after Ricki Lamie opened the scoring in the 31st minute, with Dykes going on to claim a perfect hat-trick.
“I’ll remember this hat-trick for the rest of my life, it’s my first hat-trick and I’m buzzing,” beamed Dykes.
“I’m really pleased and hopefully they keep coming. It was the perfect hat-trick, a right foot, a left foot and a header.”
Gary Holt’s side should have gone ahead in the 23rd minute but Jon Guthrie could only get a glancing touch on Steve Lawson’s corner and the ball drifted wide.
A flowing move involving Steve Lawson and Dykes moments later culminated in the ball being laid off for Scott Pittman at the corner of the box and the diminutive midfielder’s low drive was pushed behind by the outstretched Nathan Baxter.
Livingston, however, broke County’s resistance in the 31st minute. Alan Lithgow’s long throw fell in the box and Guthrie cut the ball back for Lamie to stroke home from six yards.
The visitors briefly threatened to level on the counter-attack when Harry Paton fed Josh Mullin in space outside the area but the midfielder’s first-time drive was expertly repelled by goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.
A second goal for the hosts arrived four minutes before the break, Dykes slamming in his seventh of the season.
Dykes took the acclaim from Lions fans but credit should also go to Steven Lawless for a sublime reverse pass that left the Australian with an unobstructed view of goal from inside the box.
The interval did little to hinder Livingston’s momentum as Dykes added his second in the 50th minute.
Marvin Bartley’s low drive was pushed away by Baxter but Pittman kept the move alive and, after Aymen Souda was unable to make contact with the low cross, Dykes pounced on the loose ball to fire past the County keeper.
Bartley then turned provider for Dykes to add his third in the 73rd minute, the forward angling a header past Baxter.
Livingston manager Gary Holt was naturally effusive in his praise of three-goal hero Dykes.
“He’s certainly growing into the role of being the focal point in the team,” said Holt.
“At Queen of the South Stephen Dobbie was the focal point and Dykes was the battering ram but he’s now growing into the role of being the focal point in our team.
“It’s been a big learning curve for him and responsibility .”
However, Holt, whose side have climbed up to sixth place, will not lose any sleep wondering if he will have to fend off bids for the 24-year-old next month.
He added: “Players have got a value and if they’re playing well someone will want them.
“I don’t worry about it because it has to be for the best of the club and he knows that.
“He just wants to get his head down and play, it’s his first year at his level and he’s embracing it.”