Livingston survived a late onslaught from visitors Stenhousemuir on Saturday to keep their unbeaten run going and extend their lead at the top of Division Two.

Goals from Iain Russell and Bobby Barr had given the Lions a comfortable 2-0 half time lead, but following the sending off of full-back Jason Talbot, Davie Irons’ side managed to claw a goal back, and then pummel Tony Bullock’s goal for the remaining twenty minutes.

Livi had early claims for a penalty waved away when a Jason Talbot effort appeared to be blocked by a Stenhousemuir arm, but referee Alan Muir dismissed the claims.

Liam Fox was next to have a go, and the home skipper’s long-range drive narrowly zipped over the bar.

Livi took the lead on 34 minutes when Craig Barr won a header from a Joe Hamill free kick, and Iain Russell was on hand to acrobatically hook the ball home from six yards.

Grant Anderson then brought the best out of home keeper Bullock, who did well to push the midfielder’s effort over for a corner.

The home side doubled their lead only minutes later. Iain Russell did well to control the ball as it broke on the edge of the box, and he laid it off to Bobby Barr, who coolly slotted the ball home.

At the start of the second half Kyle Jacobs was unlucky not to give Bollan’s men a third goal, as he beat Ally Brown in the away goal to a cross, but could only flick his header over.

The task was made harder for the league leaders after Jason Talbot was given a second yellow card on the hour mark, and quickly Stenny halved the deficit. A drilled ball across the box evaded Craig Barr and Bullock, and Alex Williams was on hand to divert the ball high into the net.

Livi had chances on the break to kill the game as time wore on, most notably when Robbie Winters’ delicate back heel sent Devon Jacobs and Bobby Barr two on one, but the Jacobs’ attempted lob was comfortably saved by Brown.

In the dying seconds, the home support had Bullock to thank for a fantastic block from Andy Stirling that allowed Livi to claim all three points.

Livingston: Bullock, D.Jacobs, Talbot, Watson, C.Barr, Fox, Ky.Jacobs, Hamill, Deuchar (Winters 61) , Russell (Malone 66), B.Barr
Subs not used: McDowall, Cowan, De Vita

Stenhousemuir: Brown, Lyle, Smith (Williams 49), Stirling, Gibb, Paton, Fusco, Dickson, Thomson, Anderson, Dalziel
Subs not used: McCluskey, Thom, Sloan, Clark

Att: 1246

Ref: A.Muir

Report: Calum Leslie