Livingston came away from the trip to Glebe Park with all three points after a convincing victory over Brechin City, with goals from the forward partnership of Iain Russell and Rafaelle De Vita sandwiching Craig Barr’s first strike of the season.

Manager Gary Bollan made one significant change to the team which struggled at Peterhead the previous week: Bobby Barr being dropped to the bench in favour of Rafa De Vita, and the team starting off in a positive 4-3-3 formation.

But first half looked like it would wind up a bad day for Livingston, with wave after wave of Brechin attacks being defended brilliantly by the visiting back four, and an on-form Tony Bullock.

It was, however, Livi who had the game’s first attacking move. Just 2 minutes in and Robbie Winters shot narrowly wide from a Keaghan Jacobs cross. Brechin then settled-in and started attacking, with notable efforts from ex-Lion Charlie King and Barry Smith seeing the Livi defence look lively.

Brechin again threatened on 28 minutes with a 25 yard Neil Janczyk free kick well blocked by Bullock.

Livingston weren’t without threat themselves though, with De Vita and Russell both causing panic in the home defence. Of particular note were a De Vita cross met first time by Russell, who then returned the compliment to set up De Vita to head goalwards. Fortunately for the home side this effort was kept out.

However, on 43 minutes, against the run of play, Livi took the lead through Iain Russell, with De Vita slotting the ball across the box to find the hot shot hitman.

And just 2 minutes later, as the interval beckoned, Craig Barr doubled Livi’s advantage with a fine header from Jason Talbot’s free kick.

The second half was a more comfortable affair for Livingston, with De Vita again showing he’s no mere ‘Supersub’, flashing a header just wide from a David Sinclair free kick. He duly followed this up forcing Hedgemen’s keeper Craig Nelson into making a fine save from a solid strike.

But on 75 minutes, De Vita tied up the points for Livi with a well taken goal, pulling down and controlling a long ball from defence, side stepping the Brechin back line and slotting home low past Nelson.

The home side managed an extra time consolation through ex-Livi defender Ewan Moyes, finding the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble from a well taken Janczyk corner. But it was too little too late.

So Livingston maintain their unbeaten run and go 3 points clear at the top of the table as a result.

Brechin City: Nelson, Cook (McLean 67), Booth, McLauchlan, Moyes, Smith (Docherty 76), King, Molloy, McKenna, Redman, Janczyk (Byers 46)
Subs Not Used: Scott, White

Livingston: Bullock, C.Barr, Talbot, Sinclair, O'Byrne, Watson, Fox (Ky.Jacobs 88), Kn.Jacobs (Conway 82), Russell, Winters, De Vita (B.Barr 78)
Subs Not Used: McDowall, Malone

Att: 526

Ref: E.Smith

Report by Chris Naismith