Gaffer says results show Livi ready for Europe
Livingston boss Davie Martindale believes his men are showing the form that can take them into Europe.
The West Lothian side made it 13 games without defeat against Aberdeen.
Although they failed to hit the net, Martindale hailed the defensive strength that has taken them up to fifth in the premiership.
They sit seven points behind Hibs, but have a game in hand.
He said: “That is nine clean sheets in 13 games and they have to take a lot of pride in that because that is an incredible statistic.
“Hopefully, that sort of form could get us into Europe.
“The game went as I thought it would. “Aberdeen are big, they are strong, they are difficult to beat and that is why they are in the top four every year.”
There were two attempts on goal in the game that looked like they could have counted.
A header from Aberdeen’s Connor Mclennan came down off the bar and nearly crossed the line.
Scott Pittman’s shot at the other end appeared to be clawed back from inside the goal by Joe Lewis.
Martindale refused to complain about the effort not counting, despite admitting he had been shouting for a goal.
He said: “I was chirping in the ear of the linesman for the full game, telling him it was definitely in, but I am not actually sure.
“It was a difficult one. I have seen the same camera angle everyone has got. It is maybe in, but you can see why he didn’t give it. “Pittman has got to score, to be honest. “He has got to get a cleaner strike on it. So I wouldn’t blame the officials.”
Aberdeen seemed unlikely to hit the net from the off when you looked at their line-up.
They were missing Birmingham-bound Sam Cosgrove and the injured Curtis Main.
Neither man has been prolific in front of goal this season but they provide a focal point for the attacking play.
Mclennan led the line and a header that didn’t count was his main contribution.
It was the only clear-cut opening of a stodgy first-half showing from the Dons.
They seemed most interested in trying to contain Livingston.
For once, they were posted missing when Serrano’s low cross from the left drifted across the box and found Pittman.
The midfielder’s close-range shot was palmed out by Lewis and away to safety. Some Livingston players were convinced it was over.
Scott Robinson, a striker seemingly re-born in recent times after scoring four in seven games, nearly hit the net just after the break.
He was allowed a clear header at goal, but sent his effort just over the crossbar.
Aberdeen pushed a bit further up the pitch after the break and put the home defence under spurts of pressure.
Ross Mccrorie found himself running on to a pass from Hedges with clear sight of goal.
He took aim but watched his shot saved by the legs of Stryjek.
It was a game of little subtlety, with tussles aplenty in the congested midfield area.
A Devlin tackle on Kennedy left the forward lying on the ground and Aberdeen players claiming he was off the ground.
The referee was having none of it and restarted with a drop-ball for Livi after Kennedy got some treatment.
Both sides had half-chances as the game stumbled towards an almost inevitable stalemate.
Aberdeen’s Bruce Anderson managed to head wide with the goal at his mercy and Lewis had to be lively to push away another Pittman shot in added-on time.
The teams meet again at Pittodrie on Tuesday and fans watching online will be hoping for some silkier fare.