The Scotsman

Livi boss wants reinforcem­ents after cup shock

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Livingston manager David Martindale will look for reinforcem­ents after defeat by Alloa exacerbate­d his concerns over disruption caused by Covid-19 issues.

Late goals by Scott Taggart and Alan Trouten consigned Livi to a 2-1 Premier Sports Cupdefeata­ttheindodr­illstadium after Bruce Anderson's opener.

Livingston had to shut down the Tony Macaroni Arena on Thursday for a four-day period following an outbreak and Martindale admitted they missed some absent players.

Martindale, whose team host Group D leaders Raith Rovers on Wednesday, told LFC Live: "For want of a better word, we have had a boot up our bum.

"The boys need to take it on the chin.

"I wanted to train on Sunday but I can't because of Covid, we are not allowed in the building.

"We will get the boys back in on Monday and we will need to do a lot, lot better than that.

"I was really pleased with how pre-season was going up until Saturday and it's a blip, but it's a blip that I will fix very quickly because I am going to be looking for a couple of players to bring into the building.

"Because it shows you Covid could hit at any time, track and trace could hit at any time.

"I think we have got numbers but I think we need a bit more quality in the building, and I think Saturday showed that."

Motherwell were also on the end of a quickfire double against Queen of the South as Ruari Paton struck twice just before half-time.

But Graham Alexander's side came from two down to win 3-2 at Fir Park.

"We talk a lot about the mentalresi­lienceyoun­eedoverthe course of the season," Alexander said. "You are going to get challenged in many different ways and most of it is mental.

"It was a great response, everyone turned the dial up a bit to get back in the game.

"We are going to get more challenges during the season and we have to show that mental resilience and never give up."

 ??  ?? Stephen O’donnell with the fans after Motherwell’s 3-2 win over Queen of the South
Stephen O’donnell with the fans after Motherwell’s 3-2 win over Queen of the South

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