Liam hits late goal to seal a narrow victory
Liam Buchanan netted a winner five minutes from time as Livingston took all three points from their trip to Stranraer on Saturday, writes Chris McKenna.
Head coach David Hopkin made three changes to the side that lost to East Fife the previous week with Sean Crighton, Shaun Byrne and Raffa De Vita making way for Liam Buchanan, Mark Millar and Alan Lithgow.
The Lions made a bright start with Lithgow’s high ball over the top finding Josh Mullin who raced through on goal but saw his low effort saved by Cameron Belford.
L i v i ’ s top score r, Buchanan, did well to create an opening inside a congested penalty area but he could only fire straight at the keeper.
The first half offered little in terms of chances with both sets of defences on top.
Lithgow’s long throw was flicked into the path of Scott Pittman but his low strike was saved, while at the other end Scott Agnew tested Liam Kelly but he gathered at the second attempt.
The second half began in similar pattern with both teams finding it hard to fashion any chances, with Craig Halkett, captain for the day, marshalling the Livi backline superbly.
It was the stand- in skipper who almost broke the deadlock when Mullin’s corner drifted out to Lithgow, who fired in a cross that Halkett glanced wide from eight yards out.
As the game appeared destined for a goalless draw, up stepped Buchanan who controlled Nicky Cadden’s mishit attempt and prodded the ball home at the second attempt after Belford had initially saved.
The keeper gave his team some hope when he brilliantly tipped a fierce free- kick from Cadden wide of the post, but Livi’s defence stood firm and the victory saw their lead at the top increase to nine points thanks to Alloa drawing against East Fife.
I t wasn’t a pre t t y performance by visitors, but being able to grind out victories against tricky opponents is a true mark of champions.