A lacklustre Livingston limped to a 3-3 draw against bottom of the league Airdrieonians in what ended up being an action packed 90 minutes in North Lanarkshire. Dean McMaster, Ben Wilson and Liam McStravick cancelled out a Robbie Muirhead free-kick, a Danny Wilson header and a beautiful Stephen Kelly finish.

David Martindale opted for one change from the side that exited the Scottish Cup last Monday, with Scott Pittman making way for Reece McAlear.

Livingston had the first real chance of the game with nine minutes on the clock. A long ball over the top from Ryan McGowan fell to the feet of Andrew Shinnie who expertly lifted the ball over the keeper from 20 yards out. It looked destined for the back of the net however it crashed off the bar and cleared by the grateful Airdrie backline.

It would be the hosts who would break the deadlock midway through the first half. An incredible ball from the left wing was met by Gavin Gallagher, who cut the ball to Dean McMaster to slot the ball to the bottom corner to take the lead.

The lead would be short lived, however. A foul on the edge of the box by Aidan Wilson set up a free kick for the Lions just three minutes later, and it was Robbie Muirhead who dispatch a low drive past Cade Melrose to bring the two sides level once more.

On the half hour mark, Airdrie regained the lead. Macaulay Tait was dispossessed by Lewis McGrattan about 30 yards from goal, and the Airdrie winger strolled forward to the edge of the box before striking towards goal. The ball cannoned off the post straight to the feet of Ben Wilson, and Airdrie’s top goal-scorer scored perhaps his easiest goal of the season from close range.

Jamie Brandon had a great chance on 38 minutes, receiving the ball on the right wing he manoeuvred his way into the Airdrie box skilfully before driving a strike towards goal, unfortunately it was well wide only just going out for a goal kick.

Livi were mulling about the Airdrie box pushing for an equaliser before half time, with Tete Yengi and Cristian Montano linking up down the left-hand side looking for an option. Yengi played the ball back to Tait, who played a brilliantly weighted cross to the back post, but Muirhead got his header all wrong and it went harmlessly out of play.

Muirhead again had another chance in added time. Bodying the Airdrie defender off the ball, he forced his way into a shooting position, although the final product was well off target.

Martindale made a triple change 14 minutes into the second as Livi continued their bid for an equaliser, with Dan Finlayson, Stevie May and Scott Pittman coming on for Jamie Brandon, Tete Yengi and Reece McAlear. The change almost worked instantly, with Finlayson crossing from the right to Pittman, his low strike blocked and cleared from the Airdrie defence.

The visitors were piling on the pressure and on 64 minutes almost found the goal they were looking for. A drilled cross from the left found the head of Muirhead who looped it high towards to the top left corner, however the accuracy wasn’t there and the ball sailed over the crossbar.

And on 67 minutes, Livi restored parity. The Lions had been pushing hard and gained a corner. Crossed in from the right by Muirhead, it found Danny Wilson at the back post who rose highest of all to nod the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

Two minutes later, Livingston were almost in front. A lovely cross field ball found Muirhead who was rushing through on goal and looked sure to fire the Lions into the lead, but for a wonderful saving tackle from Alex Bannon to stop the striker from getting his second.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Livingston took the lead for the first time in the game. Another cross-field ball to Lewis Smith allowed him to pick out Stephen Kelly on the edge of the box and the midfield made no mistake with his first time strike into the bottom corner to put Livi ahead.

There was a moment of madness for Muirhead on the 80th minute. A lofted ball through was headed back to Airdrie keeper Melrose, which almost left the stopper short, giving Muirhead a half chance. The striker lunged in as Melrose collected, clattering the Airdrie man and resulting in a yellow card for the Lion’s top scorer.

The goals weren’t finished yet though, however this time it was for the hosts. A free-kick from Adam Frizzell was clipped to the back post where Aidan Wilson was all alone. His shot-come-cross rolled across the goal line allowing sub Liam McStravick to crash the ball home and sent the pocket of Airdrie fans in the main stand into raptures.

As the clocked ticked over to the 90, Melrose had a wonder save to prevent Muirhead from sending Livi into the lead. Collecting at the back post, Livi’s number 23 put everything he could behind his effort, but a reaction palm from the Airdrie stopper was all that stopped the Lions regaining the lead and taking three points home to West Lothian.

Match report: David Hastie

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