Tiny Tiffoney walks tall as Saints are cut down to size again
Tiffoney (34), Forrest (35) Scott Tiffoney measures only 5ft 7 in height, but the Livingston striker was a huge presence for his team in yesterday’s win over St Johnstone.
The West Lothian outfit have struggled to get going this season after losing talismanic marksman Lyndon Dykes to Queens Park Rangers last month.
But in only his second start of the season, former Morton kid Tiffoney produced the kind of performance that will give Gary Holt’s side hope that he can fill the gaping void left by the Scotland international.
The 22-year-old scored his team’s first after 34 minutes and set up Alan Forrest for the second just 60 seconds later.
It was not just that, the pintsized forward was a constant pest in a text book display of leading the line. Tiffoney brought his team-mates into play and exhibited confidence in being able to skin a man when he had to.
“It was two very good goals, great play; wee Tiff took it really well,” said Holt.
“I think it was the only place he could have put it and I’m really pleased for the wee man.
“He came in last Saturday against Celtic and was excellent but then as a striker you’re judged on goals, more so by other people.
“Maybe it’s that youthful enthusiasm but he just wants to run about.”
There was no shortage of commitment from both sets of players during the early stages as the teams looked to bounce back from respective back-to-back defeats.
But that effort did not lead to any clear cut openings during a dire opening period.
A flowing move on the counter in the 24th minute at least saw Lions goalkeeper Robby Mccrorie being called into action.
Craig Conway darted down the right flank and fired in a low cross for May. The striker slid in to get a flick at the near post but Scotland squad keeper Mccorie made himself big to block the effort.
The match then burst into life in the 34th minute when the hosts stunned Saints with a two-goal salvo within 60 seconds.
The first came after Michael O’halloran got his pocket picked in his own half on the counter from a St Johnstone corner.
Tiffoney cut back for Scott Pittman on the edge of the box but the midfielder could not get a shot away. The ball then rolled kindly for Tiffoney and he found the net from close range.
Almost immediately from the restart, the goalscorer then turned provider, laying off for Forrest to curl a sublime low effort beyond the despairing Zander Clark into the far corner.
The visitors huffed and puffed but could not find a way past stubborn resistance from Livingston.
Saints boss Callum Davidson threw on Callum Hendry in a bid to liven up his side’s passive attack.
And although they piled on the pressure late on, the away team struggled for ideas.
Their best chance came in the 72nd minute when Marvin Bartley carelessly gave the ball away inside his own box, but Hendry’s curling effort was headed off the line by Jason Holt
Lions gaffer Holt, whose side have moved up to ninth in the table after being bottom prior to kick-off, added: “I thought we got what we deserved. I think in the majority of the games this season we’ve had a lot of possession and chances, not been clinical enough and have been punished.
“I’m really pleased we’ve taken the chances and even happier that people put their bodies on the line, putting their heads in where it gets hurt – that is what is synonymous with us.”