Two goals from Marc McNulty proved the difference for us in a closed door friendly win over Stirling Albion at Forthbank this evening.

'Sparky' struck either side of the break to secure a comfortable win over Albion, in a match which saw much of our first team squad on view.

Stirling had their moments in the early part of the game, forcing a couple of corners, but once we settled down, we were the better side for the most part.

We struck the woodwork three times before McNulty made the breakthrough with four minutes left in the first half.

McNulty hit both the bar and the post within a frenetic two minute spell, while in the lead up to the goal, Iain Russell produced a fine diving header from Jordan Morton's cross which hit the base of the post.

Albion only half cleared after that near miss, and when Morton swung in another good delivery, McNulty was on hand with a downward header to finish from around eight yards out.
Half time saw a change of formation with Stefan Scougall moving into central midfield after a productive first forty-five minutes at left back.

With Fordyce, Watson and McCann forming a three man rearguard and five players across the middle of the park, we looked comfortable throughout the second period.

Marc McNulty added his second goal with 57 minutes gone, nudging the ball over the line with his head after Callum Fordyce sent a looping header towards the back post.

We could have increased our tally with several chances missed and a Bobby Barr cross almost finding the top corner.

Our best opportunity for a third goal came from the penalty spot with a quarter of an hour left, when Iain Russell was the victim of a clear trip in the box.

Despite the protestations of his hat-trick chasing strike partner, 'Beany' took the kick himself but was thwarted by a good save from Jamie Cleland.  He had the ball in the net seconds later after McNulty played him in from the rebound, but was adjudged to have been offside when the pass was played.

Late on, the chance to give some of our younger players a run was taken up and they helped to see out a deserved win.

Livingston: McNeil, McCann (Cummings 78), Scougall, Watson, Fordyce, Ky Jacobs (A Russell 78), B Barr (McDonald 78), Ke Jacobs, McNulty (Docherty 80), I Russell, Morton (Downie 80).