10-man Livi battle for share of spoils
Lions get a point as Souda sees red
He said: “I spoke to the boys before the game about Friday’s result but I could never say that about our boys as there’s a real grit and determination.
“We could have lost the game with 10 men because you get stretched but our boys were prepared to get hurt and that’s what we need every week.
“To play 40 minutes with 10 men and get a result is brilliant. To a man we were superb. This showed what we are and where we are as a club.
“They showed the fans that neversay-die attitude not to concede.”
It was a scrappy affair at the Tony Macaroni Arena, but even so there were chances for both sides to win.
Hearts keeper Joel Pereira had to look lively to deny Scott Robinson and then Souda in the first half with tidy saves.
At the other end, on- loan Manchester City kid Ryo Meshino curled an effort wide.
The best opportunity fell to Uche Ikpeazu on the half-hour mark when a Sean Clare flick sent him clear in on goal but his weak shot was saved by Matija Sarkic.
The game’s pivotal moment came just after the break when Livi ace Souda was given his marching orders. After Pereira had spilled a cross, he appeared to try an overhead kick in the box. Berra cleared and went down holding his shoulder before referee Aitken went straight to his pocket for the red card.
Livingston, though, are a welldrilled unit and it was they who had the best chance during the remainder of the contest.
Jack McMillan looked to have found the net when he fired past Pereira only for Michael Smith to get back and clear.
Long before the final whistle, it was evident the game would end scoreless - with neither gaffer too disappointed at the outcome.
Match Facts
Livingston: Sarkic, Devlin (Lamie 40), Lithgow, Guthrie, McMillan (Tiffoney 90), Bartley, Crawford, Lawless, Jacobs, Souda, Robinson (Odoffin 72). Subs not used: Stewart, Pittman, Sibbald, Lawson.
Booked: Lithgow, Guthrie, Robinson, Odoffin.
Sent-off: Souda (49).
Hearts: Pereira, Brandon (Dikamona 62), Smith, Berra, Hickey, Clare, Bozanic, Irving, MacLean (Morrison 62), Meshino (Keena 67), Ikpeazu.
Subs not used: Doyle, Wighton, Domur, Logan.
Booked: Berra, Hickey, Ikpeazu.
Att: 3854
Ref: Greg Aitken