Aberdeen 2-1 Livingston
It was a long trip for no reward tonight as the Lions slumped to defeat in Aberdeen, despite Kurtis Guthrie finally ending the Lions’ lengthy goal drought.
The Dons – looking to move on quickly from Sunday’s League Cup final defeat to Rangers – had the first effort of the match, but American midfielder Dante Polvara curled narrowly over the crossbar from 20 yards.
Livi responded strongly, with Jamie Brandon’s deep cross finding the head of Joel Nouble at the back post, but Kelle Roos was untroubled in the Aberdeen goal.
Aberdeen went closer when Graeme Shinnie’s low shot from range seemed to squirt off the Pittodrie turf and came back off the inside of the post before rolling away for a goal-kick.
But they were shocked in the 28th minute when Livingston ended what had been a seven-game scoreless streak.
The Dons defence failed to deal with a deep throw-in, allowing Ayo Obileye to turn the ball back across goal where Guthrie was perfectly placed to turn home from close range.
They could have been 2-0 ahead 10 minutes later as Scott Pittman turned neatly before firing towards goal, but Roos was equal to the effort.
Aberdeen hauled themselves level three minutes from the interval.
A patient move saw them work their way up the right flank, before Nicky Devlin whipped in a cross and Miovski powered a header past Shamal George in the Livi goal.
George was beaten again on the stroke of half-time as Miovski turned home a neat poacher’s effort after a free-kick from the right, but an offside flag ruled the goal out.
Aberdeen started the second period at a greater tempo, and Richard Jensen saw an effort from distance comfortably held by George.
James McGarry was also denied by the Livingston keeper before Miovski netted his second in the 65th minute.
Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes twisted and turned on the left before drilling a low ball to the near post, where Miovski got in front of his man to turn home his 14th goal of the campaign.
Livi threatened to draw level through former Don Bruce Anderson, just two minutes after coming off the bench, but the striker placed his shot narrowly wide of the post with only Roos to beat.
And at the other end, Miovski was unlucky not to add a third for the home side with a neat flick that was well saved by George.
Match Report: Sky Sports
ABERDEENRoos, Devlin. Shinnie ©️, Jensen, Gartenmann, Miovski, Clarkson (McGrath 79), Duk (Sokler 79), McGarry (Morris 60), Polvara, MacDonald Subs not used: Goals: |
LIVINGSTONGeorge, Devlin ©️ ▊, Obileye, Pittman ▊, Brandon (Anderson 71), Holt, Nouble, Nottingham (Welch-Hayes 83), Shinnie (St.Kelly 58), Guthrie, Penrice ▊ Subs not used: Goals: |
Referee: Nick Walsh | HT: 1-1 | Att: 13,794 |