Livingston picked up three points on the road following a strong second half away at Ayr United. Goals from originals Natasha Frew, Jen Dodds and Ashley Elizabeth saw the Lionesses overcome 8th placed Ayr, who took the lead through Clare Docherty.

Injury and illness hit Livingston saw the Lionesses barely name a bench to utilise 5 substitutions, with goalkeepers Rachel Pirie and Schenai Gamrot both missing out. This led to a debut for young academy goalkeeper Lucy Reed who stepped in due to our goalkeeping crisis.

An uneasy start for the Lionesses saw the bottom place club come out of the traps quicker and looked to threaten. An energetic start for the hosts saw them take the lead early on, with Clare Docherty firing in well from outside the box.

It looked like the hosts were going to double their lead as the referee awarded an indirect free-kick for a contentious pass back. Ayr were able to get the shot away and in a potentially pivotal moment, Reed tipped the ball onto the crossbar as we then cleared the ball preventing further danger.

Livingston’s best chance came from a set piece, with specialist Rachel Walkingshaw hitting the crossbar from 25 yards. A bizarre moment in the game also saw a collision in the box between a player from either side, but with no head knock or foul given, the ref halted the game to then give a drop ball.

The away side came into the game more in the second half, posing more of a threat as Ayr protected their lead. However, the game would soon be level on the hour mark, as captain Natasha Frew got us level. A corner to the back post saw a flying header from Frew go back across goal, clipping the post into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Frew’s goal gave Livi a massive boost who continued to put the pressure on, scoring again ten minutes on from the opener. A corner looked to fall to Jen Dodds in the box, but a blatant shove on the number 9 was duly punished with a penalty kick. Dodds dusted herself off and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give us the lead.

Walkingshaw struck the crossbar with another free kick effort before Ashley Elizabeth wrapped up the three points. The ball fell to the striker who unleashed a fantastic effort from long range that lobbed the goalkeeper and sealed a good away victory.

Livingston saw the game out and recorded a second away win against Ayr this season. The Lionesses are back in action this weekend as they travel to face Gartcairn.

Match report: Angus McGregor

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