DEFLATED LIVVY VOW TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES

GOALKEEPER Marc McCallum insists Livingston’s young defence must improve if they are to have any hope of surviving the Championship play-offs. A second-half collapse after leading at the break now sees the Lions’ season go into overtime with the threat of relegation still hanging over them. And McCallum says it was not the first time they have relinquished good opportunities to win. ‘We’ve lost silly goals again which is disappointing,’ he said. ‘We’re finding it very difficult to see games out and we’re in the play-offs because we’ve dropped nine or 10 points this season with silly mistakes.’ It had looked promising for the Lions when Sam Stanton put them ahead on the half-hour. However, Derek Lyle levelled from the spot before putting the Doonhamers in front. Gary Oliver made sure of the points, although Queens ended up with 10 men after Lewis Kidd was sent off for dissent. Livingston face Rangers and Raith Rovers this week in their remaining — and now meaningless — league fixtures. But McCallum insists it is the perfect preparation for the play-offs as his side wait to see whether they will face Stranraer, Airdrie or Albion Rovers. He added: ‘I’ve played in the lower divisions and it will be really tough but I’m glad we’ve got two games coming up this week to try and build a bit of form.’ Meanwhile, Queens striker Lyle reflected on a turbulent week for the Dumfries outfit, who sacked boss James Fowler last week. He said: ‘It’s not been great this week — you don’t like to see anyone losing their job and James Fowler worked really hard. It’s unfortunate it didn’t work.’ ALAN DOUGLAS