Kelly hopes victories spark revival for Lions
Livingston defender Sean Kelly believes the club’s two ‘massive’ away victories can lead to the Lions roaring up the Premiership table.
The 27-year-old made his first league start for Livi as they picked up three points in a smash-andgrab 3-2 away win over Ross County at the weekend.
That triumph came off the back of an emphatic 3-0 victory in Perth the previous week against St Johnstone.
Kelly said: “The two wins have come at a huge time for us. They are two massive results and obviously fantastic for our season.
“To go away to St Johnstone and then Ross County, scoring three goals in both games, is really positive. Back-to-back wins can really catapult you up the Premiership table.”
He added: “At the start of the season, we were probably in County’s situation – even when we were playing well, we were losing.”
County controlled large spells of the game and there would have been few complaints amongst the travelling fans had the Staggies opened up a two-goal lead midway through the first half.
However, Max Stryjek got down low to his left to tip a Jordan White penalty wide after Harry Clarke had given the home side an early lead on seven minutes with a fizzing long-range drive into the bottom corner.
Stryjek’s save was the catalyst for a revival from the Lions, who turned the game on its head to lead at the break.
Bruce Anderson nodded home after getting on the end of a wonderful delivery from Kelly before Odin Bailey cut in from the right and curled a magnificent effort into the top corner for his second goal in as many games.
The hosts continued to control much of the game after the break but spurned several chances in front of goal.
They deservedly drew level on 67 minutes when Kelly was adjudged to have fouled Joseph Hungbo inside the penalty area. Stryjek almost produced a repeat as he got his legs onto Ross Callachan’s strike straight down the middle but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Just when the contest appeared set for a draw, the Lions struck
a dramatic winner to make it consecutive victory for the first time since January as Alan Forrest’s floated free-kick deep into added time was met by the head of Parkes.
The centre-back couldn’t have placed his looping header any
better, leaving Ashley MaynardBrewer in the County goal helpless and sparking scenes of delight amongst the Livi players and supporters.
A delighted Kelly added: “It is always the best way to win a game, the 95th minute. We didn’t start
the game well at all – Ross County were by far the better team for the first 25 or 30 minutes.
“The penalty miss probably changes the game and Max’s save gave us momentum. We then got two goals pretty quickly after that and it seemed to deflate them.”