Lamie a hero for Motherwell as Martindale feels ‘pickpocketed’

RICKI LAMIE burgled a berth in the top six for Motherwell at the expense of his former club with a shock stoppage-time leveller.

Livingston were within seconds of leaping above an ailing visiting side that has registered only one Premiership victory in 2022.

Yet it’s Graham Alexander’s gritty group that has overcome a horror run of league form since the turn of the year — and defied another sub-standard display — to take aim at European places in the weeks to come.

For Livingston, despite improvement through the season, an old failing of poor defending at set-pieces returned to haunt them at the worst possible moment.

They now cast a nervous eye behind them and will go in search of the one victory that would surely secure safety as soon as possible.

When fourth on Boxing Day, Motherwell would never have thought their journey to remain in the top half by the split could be so tortuous and ultimately dramatic.

As Ross County scored at Aberdeen, they sunk to seventh and Alexander’s assistant Chris Lucketti reported the grim news to the boss.

Up went goalkeeper Liam Kelly for the last-gasp corner but he wasn’t required to encroach the penalty box as all the panic was spread by Livingston’s indecision.

There were multiple chances to clear but when Bevis Mugabi’s effort cracked off the crossbar, Lamie (below left with Callum Slattery) had razor-sharp reactions and headed home.

Visiting fans spilled onto the pitch in celebration. Alexander admits he couldn’t go wild without a check of the phone at the final whistle to ensure the madness of mid-table hadn’t taken another odd turn.

He smiled: ‘I’m pinching myself. Even when we scored the equaliser I didn’t really celebrate much because I was worried something might happen somewhere else — and there was still a bit of time.

‘We threw ourselves down a massive hole, didn’t play too well and deservedly were behind.

‘We dug deep within our character. The subs made an impact. I’m so proud of this group because, if we hadn’t made it, it would’ve been our own fault.

‘We’ve had a tough time since New Year but no one can say we don’t deserve it because of what we’ve done previously. It’s now down to the players and their mentality. Do we celebrate now as if the season is finished and we’re content with top six? Or push it and go for Europe?’

Livingston’s devastated players parked themselves on the turf in disbelief as Motherwell revelled in their unexpected bonus.

The hosts were hungry from the off, pinning Motherwell back. Their deserved lead came from a swift exchange of passes, with Scott Pittman then Alan Forrest helping the ball through to Odin Bailey.

Jake Carroll failed to intercept and the on-loan Birmingham forward tucked home his third goal for the club.

Kevin van Veen’s 54th minute shot at the back post, grasped on the line by Max Stryjek at the second attempt, was the first danger posed by Motherwell. But Livingston quickly responded by doubling the lead.

Forrest steered a smart finish with the outside of his right foot beyond Kelly from 14 yards.

Had Nicky Devlin gone down earlier than he did under Joe Efford’s challenge, Don Robertson might have given Livingston a penalty chance for 3-0. But that left enough of a chink of light for Alexander’s smart substitutions, including impact man Kaiyne Woolery.

Callum Slattery hammered a loose ball past Stryjek from 22 yards with 18 minutes to go.

Motherwell might not always be pretty but they managed to peg Rangers back from a 2-0 deficit at Ibrox and could be relied on to have their manager’s attitude to work when it came down to the wire here.

All of which left David Martindale gutted at the implosion. ‘We looked like the team that had the impetus in the final third but that doesn’t matter if you can’t defend your own box.

‘It’s happened on a few occasions this year and now when we’re a minute from top six. It feels like we’ve been pickpocketed. It’s a

season-defining goal.’