Champions sign off with record 26th win
Livingston winning streak maintained at Rovers Albion Rovers ...........0 Livingston .................2
Livingston ended their oneyear stint in League One in fine fashion with a record-breaking victory in Coatbridge.
The Lions strolled to a 2-0 triumph in the sun for their 26th win of a tremendous league campaign.
The win broke the club record for the number of victories in a season and extended their best-ever consecutive winning streak to nine games.
Head coach David Hopkin was forced into a reshuffle for the final game as defenders Jackson Longridge, Sean Crighton and Craig Halkett were all suspended, as was midfielder Shaun Byrne while winger Nicky Cadden remained sidelined after dislocating his shoulder last week.
There was good news, though, as Declan Gallagher’s foot injury wasn’t as bad as first feared and he took his place in a three- man back line alongside Alan Lithgow and Nikolay Todorov.
The contest had a decidedly end- ofseason feel to it but both sides passed up chances to take the lead in the early stages.
Danny Mullen’s header was comfortably saved by Ross Stewart while at the other end Ryan Wallace was unable to find the net.
Liam Buchanan came agonisingly close when he poked an effort wide after some terrific build-up play before the visitors took the lead on 19 minutes through Scott Pittman. Striker Mullen beat the offside trap and raced through on goal only to have his effort parried by Stewart. However, Pittman had put in one of his trademark lung-bursting runs, which meant he was unmarked to roll the ball home. Livingston would double their lead just before the break when a short corner- kick was played to Raffaele de Vita and the Italian winger fizzed a strike into the far corner from the edge of the box. Livi dominated the second half but were unable to extend their lead as Mullen hit the woodwork before youngster Kyle Sampson almost made an impact off the bench but saw his header clip the post before he again came within inches of opening his senior account when he rattled the crossbar. Having had little to do all game, Gary Maley was forced into action to make a terrific double save in the closing stages while there was yet another moment for the travelling fans to cheer as midfielder Mikey Miller came off the bench for the final 10 minutes for his first appearance in several months. The former Morton man had been a key figure prior to sustaining a knee injury in late November.
A delighted David Hopkin said he was pleased Miller was able to get a run-out before the end of the season and was full of praise for his side’s professionalism.
He said: “It was a nice way to end the season. We had chances to add to the tally but it was important to keep the run going.
“It’s great credit to everyone that they’ve kept going and given everything after we had won the league.
“It was important to give Mikey a game and brilliant to see him back on the pitch and playing.”