Livingston moved to two points behind Championship leaders Falkirk following a comfortable 3-0 win away to Airdrieonians on Tuesday night. A Stevie May double and Matty Clarke header sealed all three points, a result which also left Airdrie stranded at the bottom of the table.

Manager David Martindale opted for one change to the side that bested Partick Thistle on Friday night, with Lewis Smith making way for goal scorer Robbie Muirhead.

Airdrie defender Luke Badley-Morgan was lucky to still be on the pitch with just two minutes on the clock, flying into a poorly timed tackle on Stevie May, the referee perhaps taking into the account the amount of time played, opting only for the caution.

The hosts had the first real chance of the game, when Gavin Gallagher hit a ferocious from the edge of the box, fizzing past the right hand post of the stretching Jerome Prior and out for a goalkick.

Airdrie had two huge chances just after the ten minute mark, Chris Mochrie broke down the right hand side and, after beating Ryan McGowan for pace, squared the ball to Adam Frizzell. The striker shaped up his shot which was blocked well by Michael Nottingham, the rebound falling to a white shirt who fired low and hard, with Prior getting down to make the save, Livi then able to clear.

The first real chance for the Lions fell to Tete Yengi on 17 minutes. A free kick taken by Reece McAlear bounced about before eventually falling to Yengi, however he dragged his shot wide left.

Minutes later and it took a great save from Kieran Wright to prevent Livi getting the fitst goal of the game, a Robbie Muirhead corner met by the right boot of Nottingham, his strike poked over the bar by the Airdrie keeper.

The Diamonds were next to have a crack at breaking the deadlock midway through the half, a Gallagher free kick from the left finding Badley-Morgan at the back post who wasn’t to get any real conviction on the effort, Prior saving comfortably.

 Matty Clarke had a huge chance just before the half hour mark. Muirhead had an initial long throw that was defended back to him, his second attempt to get the ball into the box finding the Northern Irishman, but the full back’s header was well off target.

With ten minutes to the half, the Lions took the lead. A high ball down the left was chased down by Scott Pittman, who played a lovely reverse pass to Yengi. The Aussie took a lovely touch before drilling the ball low into the box where Stevie May was waiting at the front post to knock the ball home.

The goal helped Livi find their feet and two minutes later it was almost two to the Lions. A beautiful one-two between Yengi and Clarke on the left allowed the full back to cross the ball to Pittman, whose header on the six yard line was off target.

Into the second half and Airdrie were on the war path to get the leveller. Mochrie received the ball on the right side and pushed forward with the hosts in a 3 on 2 situation. McGowan did really well to defend the situation, forcing Mochrie to turn back on himself and taking a shot rather than being able to pick the pass, hitting the side netting.

It took Livi ten minutes into second half for the Livi to double their lead. A Reece McAlear corner from the left found Clarke at the back post who made no mistake this time, header into the right of the goal for 2-0.

And on 67 minutes, it was three. A lovely cross field ball from Muirhead was left by May to run to Yengi. He poked the ball to Dan Finlayson, whose cross defied everyone in a white shirt, finding May who nodded past Wright in the Airdrie goal.

Muirhead had a great attempt on 74 minutes. Yengi was fouled on the edge of the box, and it was the former Morton man who took the resultant free kick. His shot was low and hard to Wright’s left, but the former Livingston keeper saved well, palming the ball out initially before collecting at the second attempt.

Gaffer Davie Martindale introduced a flurry of substitutions with perhaps an eye on Saturday’s clash with Ayr United, goal scorers Clarke and May making way for Lewis Smith and Cristian Montano with McAlear also leaving the field for Shinnie. Andy Winter would also join the action later with Pittman making way for the Livi striker.

Nottingham was gunning for his second goal of the season and very nearly got it, smart work from Smith down the left looping a cross to the back which Nottingham caught on the half volley but it was well by Wright.

Next it was Yengi’s turn in added time. Taking a great touch just inside the box, the number 9 opted to side foot the ball, his shot easily saved by the Airdrie shot stopper.

The substitutions, plus the three goal lead allowed Livi to take the foot off the pedal and cruise to victory, rooting Airdrie to the bottom of the league whilst the Lions move to within 2 points of league leaders Falkirk.

Match Report: David Hastie

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