Dismal Dons’ fate sealed after Livi put up a fight in stalemate

THE final acts of Aberdeen’s pitiful Premiership season will be played out where it belongs.

Bottom six was inevitable. Yesterday it was confirmed by a dismal draw at Livingston.

Two disappointing teams repeated the result from their meeting on the campaign’s opening day.

A stalemate was of precious little use to either side. In Livingston’s case, it drew them to within nine points of Ross County in the relegation play-off spot.

Everything they mustered for David Martindale, while stripped of seven players through injury and with four outfield bodies on the bench, was most admirable.

Yet much more is required if they are to mount a miracle over the next six matches.

Winning momentum needs gathered urgently but they looked completely down and out on 89 minutes.

Bojan Miovski volleyed home from close range after Shamal George had denied Stefan Gartenmann on his line.

Then celebrations gave way to VAR reality. Angus MacDonald was spotted offside, when setting up Gartenmann’s chance, and interim manager Peter Leven was denied a third win in a row.

A seven-point cushion over County was comfort for Leven last night as he warms the seat for a permanent manager.

Leven said: ‘I thought we’d won it. It’s a sickener, really. I’ve not seen the proper angle, Angus thought he was onside.

‘But I felt we didn’t do enough to really put pressure on their goal. From back to middle, we were all right but we just never had that spark in the final third.

‘Bottom six is not what we wanted. It’s difficult but we’re in this situation.’

A game punctuated by injury stoppages, predominantly for head knocks, featured few genuine chances.

Both teams will reflect with frustration on first-half opportunities passed up.

Livingston’s best arrived on four minutes from a sweet move. Steven Bradley should have hit the target with a free header from Sean Kelly’s delivery.

Leighton Clarkson saw little daylight as Jamie Brandon bothered him everywhere he attempted to go. Yet he found freedom to grant Miovski a one-on-one against George. The home goalkeeper triumphed with a fine stop.

Aberdeen had the wind in their favour for the second period. Both Jamie McGrath and Graeme Shinnie struck the bar with awkward cross balls that left George all at sea.

Livingston weathered that storm and were eventually relieved to see Miovski’s goal chalked off.