Livingston gained their second away win in a row, with a tense but uneventful victory over Hamilton Academical.  A fantastic goal from winger Bobby Barr was enough to give the Lions a narrow victory in a game which neither keeper was seriously tested.

The Lions almost took the lead early on, but it was almost provided by the Hamilton defence, the Accies defender miskicked a pass back, almost resulting in an own goal.  Moments later Paul Watson almost scored an own goal at the other end, but fortunately for the Livi defender it went just by the post.  The Accies then sent in a dangerous corner which was only just cleared by the Livi defence.

Bobby Barr had the first effort on target of the game with 25mins on the clock, but his effort was no trouble for keeper Alan Coombe.  Bobby Barr continued to try and just minutes later sent an effort well over after beating the offside trap.

Hamilton’s Gary Fraser responded with an driven shot straight on to goals, but saw his 20yard effort sail over the cross bar.

Kenny Deuchar had the first real chance of the game, a curling shot by Liam Fox was deflected to the Livi striker who made no mistake in heading the ball into the back of the net, only to find the linesman with his flag up.

Hamilton had a great chance to take the lead after Andy McNeil miscontrolled a clearance well out of his box, but Craig Barr was equal to shots from Gary Fraser and ex-Lion Gordon Smith.

The final effort of the half came to Kenny Deuchar, Bobby Barr providing an excellent  cross which Deuchar duly headed goalwards, but Alan Coombe did well to clear.

Just minutes into the second half an excellent cross  was put just by the back post by Gordon Smith.

Keaghan Jacobs had a chance to finally open the scoring, managing to get by the Accies defence on the half way line, he took the ball too wide and ended with the ball comfortably in the keepers hands.

It was popular winger Bobby Barr that was to finally score the first goal of the game, Marc McNulty successfully played him in and Bobby Barr made no mistake in powerfully putting the ball into the top corner with 70mins on the clock.

Accies pushed for an equaliser and came close on three occasions in the final 10mins, a free kick on the edge of the box was punched clear for a throw-in by Andy McNeil before the Livi defence cleared another effort off the line.  The Accies closed the game with a header just over from close range after a well placed cross.

 So the Lions finally got a victory over Hamilton at New Douglas Park.  The game was not exciting by any means, but the young Livi team are learning how to win in otherwise poor games.  After such a tense victory the team and fans will be looking forward to the next game.

Hamilton Academical:
Coombe, McAllister, Mensing, Canning, McGlinchey, Imrie, Fraser (Currie 69), Crawford (Patterson 75), Neil, Smith, Spence
Subs not used: Hutton, Kilday, McBride

Livingston:
McNeil, Ross, Talbot (McNulty 52), Ky.Jacobs, C.Barr, Watson, Fox, Kn.Jacobs, Deuchar (Boulding 77), Fotheringham, B.Barr
Subs not used: Murphy, Scougall, Sinclair

Att: 1546

Ref: C Charleston

Match report by Chris Naismith