Lions enjoy a good run -out at home
Livingston boss David Hopkin gave his side pass marks in their pre- season opener despite suffering defeat against Hearts.
The Premiership side’s new boy Cole Stockton netted the only goal of the game on 20 minutes but he almost made a complete hash of it as he rattled the bar from three yards out.
Fortunately for the striker, the ball bounced over the line to spare his blushes.
But the Lions more than held their own and Hopkin said he was pleased with the early signs, commenting: “It was our first 90 minutes as we hadn’t played a bounce game so it was worthwhile.
“We worked on a few things in the first half then with all the changes in the second it kind of petered out a bit.
“I thought the fitness level of the players was decent and we’ve been working them hard so it was good to see.”
The hosts lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with a back three of Craig Halkett, Declan Gallagher and Alan Lithgow playing in front of trialist goalkeeper Lukasz Skowron.
The Pole, who spent last year in the Portuguese second tier with Olhanense, had little to do during his 60 minutes of action as Hearts produced some neat attacking play only to fail to find the target when it mattered most.
Striker Dylan Mackin was the only new arrival to start for the hosts and early signs suggest his height and physicality could be a decent asset while Ross Brown and Josh Peters were both introduced at half-time.
Shaun Byrne had the game’s first chance but his long range effort inside the opening minute was hit straight at Jack Hamilton.
But it was Hearts, cheered on by 1500 fans, who dominated the match but were unable to add to their tally.
Rafa Grzelak was a threat down the left and he rifled a shot off the post while Skowron produced an instinctive save from Jamie Brandon after the break while Gary Maley saved well from a Connor Sammon header.
Livi created little but gave a good account of themselves against top tier opponents.