Martindale: Lions can still claw Dons back
Davie Martindale insists Livingston have Aberdeen in their sights after wrapping up their pre-split fixtures with a hard-fought draw with Hibs.
The Lions went ahead through Craig Sibbald but Christian Doidge levelled for the visitors minutes before the break.
Livingston are now five points adrift of the Dons in fourth place, a position that also guarantees a spot in the new Europa Conference League. And Martindale admits catching managerless Aberdeen is now their main aim.
He said: “Why not try to overhaul Aberdeen?
“There’s five games to go with five points behind.
We’ve still to play Aberdeen at home so it’s a fantastic carrot for us.
“If we can pick points up in that it’s anybody’s.
“It’s going to be tough but why can’t we do it?
“Today is probably a chance missed but it’s a point closer to Aberdeen, a point in the right direction.”
“Jack Ross will say the same. They are a point further ahead of Aberdeen, we are a point closer to Aberdeen.”
Livingston had looked lively for much of the first half before Doidge levelled and Martindale insists a point apiece was probably a fair result.
He added: “I thought it was a good game to watch. We played with a bit more composure. We moved the ball well.
“There was a spell with Hibs putting balls into the box and we needed to stop that.
“On reflection, we take the draw but are a wee bit disappointed.”
The game was bereft of any meaningful goal scoring chances until the 15th minute when Craig Sibbald struck a low drive from 20 yards straight at Ofir Marciano.
That effort seemed to inspire the hosts. Great footwork from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas set up Sibbald in the box but the midfielder’s rising drive was pushed behind by the Israel international.
Emmanuel-Thomas then headed wide from an Alan Forrest cross six yards out.
Hibs briefly threatened when Kevin Nisbet – buoyed by his Scotland call-up, volleyed wide from a Doidge knock-down.
But it was Livingston who drew first blood after 28 minutes through Sibbald. Jon Guthrie’s long ball forward should have been dealt with by Ryan Porteous but the defender’s attempt to head back was anticipated by Sibbald, who turned and slotted past Marciano from close range.
Hibs had a chance to level two minutes later when Jackson Irvine teed up Joe Newell, who had a clear sight of goal in the box, but the playmaker’s low drive was comfortably saved by Robby McCrorie.
However, Ross’s side did restore parity four minutes before the break with the help of another defensive error.
Nicky Devlin was caught out by Josh Doig in his attempt to shield the ball out for a goal-kick.
Doidge latched on to the ball and his effort from 12 yards had enough power to beat McCrorie, who managed to get a hand to the effort.
The Hibs striker was involved at the start of the second half as Hibs went close again.
A sliding effort on Boyle’s cut-back was kept out on the line by Devlin, with the Lions surviving the scramble that followed.
Hibs dominated much of the second half but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Nisbet had a sight of goal after being put through by Doidge, but dragged his effort wide.