Second-half goals from Bruce Anderson and Sean Kelly – who beat his younger brother Liam from the spot – gave Livingston only their second league win of the season as they took the spoils against ten-man Motherwell.
A forgettable opening half ended with Lennon Miller dismissed for clipping the heels of the advancing Daniel Mackay, a moment that turned the game entirely in Livingston’s favour.
David Martindale’s side were able to manipulate that extra man with two goals in a ten-minute period putting the game beyond Motherwell. Stuart Kettlewell’s side have now lost four games in succession with both teams on the same points tally.
Other than an audacious 40-yard free-kick from Dan Casey that Shamal George had tipped over the bar there was very little of note in the opening period of the game where both teams struggled to create any genuine goalmouth chances.
Bruce Anderson was the catalyst for the dismissal of Miller after he had burst through the Motherwell midfield in a rare moment of creativity. Having pushed the ball into the path of Daniel Mackay, Miller clipped the heels of the Livingston forward and was immediately shown a red-card by referee Don Robertson with a VAR check upholding the decision.
Livingston took full advantage after the restart. Anderson netted his sixth goal of the season but it was Mackay who deserved huge plaudits for his role in the opener as he burst down the flank before slipped the ball invitingly across the six-yard box for Anderson to convert.
Livingston’s afternoon took another positive turn six minutes later. Bevis Mugabe upended James Penrise with Sean Kelly beating his brother Liam from the spot.
There could and shout have been more; a second penalty was denied by VAR after Georgie Gent’s challenge on Jason Holt was judged to have taken place outside the box while Steven Bradley ought to have scored from close range when he tapped an effort wide.
Livingston didn’t need it.
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