Jacobs cracker earns Livi well-merited draw
Livingston boss Gary Holt insisted his players should be proud of getting a draw at Fir Park.
His men extended their unbeaten run to seven league matches but were unhappy at having to settle for a point. After making all the headlines for beating Steven Gerrard’s Rangers last Sunday, the Livi lads felt they should have recorded another victory against struggling Motherwell. Holt said: “They’re angry and annoyed at only taking a point, which shows how far they’ve come in a short space of time. “I told them to give themselves some credit. “They’ve come back from being 1-0 down at half-time to get a point so they need to get their heads up and enjoy the occasion. “They earned that point – Motherwell didn’t give it to them. “Yes, we want to play better, pass the ball better and create more chances but teams don’t make it easy for you. “Was it pretty? No, it wasn’t. It was robust, with two teams fighting and scrapping, which you need to do here. “You’re not going to come to Fir Park and dictate the game but I asked the players at halftime to enjoy themselves and to be braver on the ball and we did that.” Motherwell, who were looking to avoid a fifth league defeat on the bounce, took the lead against the run of play. The home fans were noticeably downbeat as Livi started by charging forward in their trademark style. They must have feared the worst when a Robinson shot flashed narrowly wide and then Menga headed just over the bar. But a long-overdue goal temporarily raised the Fir Park spirits. Allan Campbell pounced on the ball in midfield and slipped a pass through to Ryan Bowman. The striker’s shot found the net with the aid of a deflection off defender Craig Halkett. While the goal was a great boost for Stephen Robinson’s men, it seemed unlikely that just one would beat Livi. They’re a side brimming with confidence and as tough as the steel they used to make around Motherwell. They had the ball in the net but Willie Collum chalked off Lamie’s effort. Gary Holt believed it should have stood but, unusually, he gave the whistler the benefit of the doubt. He said: “I didn’t see a foul but referees’ jobs are harder than mine. “It was given for a foul on the keeper but one of the things I like about football is having a good moan about decisions. “We had worked on that set piece so we’re peeved about the goal not being given.” Motherwell had appeals waved away for a penalty when two shots were fired at defenders from close range. But there was certainly no doubt about the goal that did count for Livingston. The second-half equaliser was as good a free-kick as you’ll see all season. Keaghan Jacobs hit the ball over the wall and into the top corner from 20 yards. From then on, Livingston looked the more likely winners. They kept pressing forward and enjoyed a one-man advantage for the last 12 minutes when Carl McHugh collected two bookings in seven minutes. Ricky Lamie nearly scored in added-on time but saw his attempt scrambled off the line. Gary Holt grinned as he talked about Jacobs’ cracker of a free kick. He said: “It was a fluke. The boys practice these free-kicks but 99 times out of 100 the ball ends up in Row Z.”