EARNS A SALUTE FROM HAPPY BOSS HOLT

do short corners or intricate stuff like that. Just get the ball in the penalty box and today we got two good goals from it.’

Motherwell had ample warning regarding the dangers of Lithgow’s long throws.

Goalkeeper Mark Gillespie was forced into a super block to deny Lawless after the defender had found the winger free six yards out.

However, minutes later, Lawless would not be denied in a case of deja vu.

Another prodigious throw into the box by Lithgow was flicked on by Gallagher and the former Fir Park kid lashed a low drive past Gillespie.

Talking to the press corps ahead of the game, Holt had effectively ruled Lithgow out of the match after the 30-year-old spent the week battling illness.

Whether that was a Machiavellian plan on the manager’s part, or the defender had defied his doctor’s order, his throw-ins alone were proving worth the gamble on his fitness.

Teenage marksman Jack Hamilton almost grabbed a second goal for Livvy when he hooked an effort over the crossbar from 12 yards following some fine work by Nicky Cadden.

The hosts dominated the first half and should have had a bigger lead.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson wasted no time in trying to spark a revival from his team, sending on Alex Rodriguez to replace the ineffective Gael Bigirimana, who was on a yellow card, at the break.

But the visitors’ attacking play still lacked inspiration. A swathe of aimless long balls were manna from heaven for Lithgow, Gallagher and Halkett.

However, one glorious opportunity came along for Motherwell — and it provided another entry for Kelly’s increasingly bulging scrapbook of wonderful saves.

A deep delivery from Rodriguez found Maguire at the far post and, with the goal gaping, Kelly somehow clawed the youngster’s goal-bound effort to safety from under the crossbar. Stunning reflexes from a young goalkeeper who could eventually play for Scotland.

Their lead intact, the hosts put the game to bed at the other end with a goal that was quintessential Livingston — superb in its simplicity and execution.

Scott Robinson delivered a superb inswinging corner and Halkett rose to glance a superb header into the corner of the net.

‘The disappointing thing is that we have worked on this all week — Livingston put long balls into the box and they do it very well,’ said furious Fir Park boss Robinson.

‘We told certain people to mark in a certain way — but they didn’t do that.

‘We didn’t do the simple things well enough and we got exactly what we deserved from the match.’