Last-gasp Lions roar to victory over Killie
KILMARNOCK 1 Burke (48, pen) LIVINGSTON 2
Thomas (51), Robinson (90+2) Livingston started and finished well at Rugby Park, deservedly claiming all three points with an injury time goal from substitute Scott Robinson.
The Betfred Cup semifinalists had battled the elements as well as their opponents yesterday and interim manager Davie Martindale was thrilled that his side had come from behind to win.
“The players are magnificent and if you’re going to win a game, you love to win it like that.
“It was absolutely fantastic and the joy you get from a 92nd-minute winner is like nothing else. You could see that by the reaction from our bench and the players – it was brilliant.
“What that showed was that we’re all in this together. When you get a winner in the dying seconds all the endorphins just come flying out and you celebrate it the way we did.
“Today was the first time we’d gone behind since I took over and it was fascinating for me to watch the boys and see how they reacted to that because they hadn’t been in that position.
“But the fact that we bounced back immediately in these terrible conditions just sums up everything about Livingston.
“It was definitely a test of character to go behind to a goal like that. Nicky was saying that his elbow was tucked in but the ball did strike him, although it was hard for it not to be a hand ball from that distance.
“But we lost a goal from a penalty and I’m pretty pleased that we didn’t lose a goal from open play, if I’m honest. But I’m even more pleased that we went on to win the game.
“How do we top six wins in a row? I’m going for seven!”
In-form Livi, seeking a sixth straight win under Martindale, should have broken the deadlock in the first minute when Josh Mullin’s free-kick found the unmarked Jon Guthrie but his header from point-blank range was too close to Danny Rogers, who managed to turn the ball behind.
Nicke Kabamba then made it a long afternoon for himself when he was deservedly booked for a late lunge on Guthrie with just eight minutes on the clock.
Killie appealed for a penalty when Rory Mckenzie went down following a tussle with Guthrie but referee Kevin Clancy wasn’t interested.
Scott Pittman thought he’d broken the deadlock when he beat Rogers with a downward header but the flag had been raised for offside before Mullin’s delivery.
It was Killie who drew first blood three minutes into the second half. When Livi failed to clear their lines from a Chris Burke corner, Stuart Findlay’s shot struck Nicky Devlin on the arm.
Mr Clancy pointed to the spot and booked the full-back. Burke sent Max Stryjek to his left and the ball to his right to open the scoring.
However, Livi were back on level terms in the 51st minute. Some determined pressing from the visitors forced Alan Power to lose possession and Jay Emmanuel-thomas tried his luck from 20 yards and was probably as surprised as anyone when goalkeeper Rogers was beaten by the bounce.
Robinson wasn’t far away with an angled drive and then forced a save from Rogers at his near post.
Neither side could be faulted for effort but a winning goal looked like eluding both of them until Robinson stepped up in stoppage time to chip the ball over Rogers from the edge of the penalty area.