Cove Rangers 0-2 Livingston
The Lions made it 3 from 3 this evening after overcoming Cove Rangers at their Balmoral Stadium.
The hosts fell behind when Lewis Smith’s left-footed strike – which looked to be heading wide – was turned into his own net by Murray as he attempted to block the effort.
The visitors pressed for a second with Robbie Muirhead curling over from the edge of the area soon after.
Cove withstood the pressure and, driven on by Fraser Fyvie and Blair Yule, they slowly began to gain a foothold in proceedings.
Murray had a chance to make amends but headed wide from a Connor Scully cross before Livi captain Jamie Brandon stung the palms of Suman with a powerful effort at the other end.
After the break, Livi continued where they left off with Lewis Smith’s curling effort comfortably held by Suman.
A half-chance fell for Grady McGrath after some neat play from Fyvie and Yule but the former Brechin striker was unable to capitalise.
An enticing cross from Ryan Harrington created an opening for Yule but the Livi defence scrambled the ball clear as the home side began to grow in confidence.
Declan Glass replaced McGrath in the 62nd minute, while Livingston brought on Sole and Tete Yengi for Muirhead and Andrew Winter.
Glass made a lively start, showing some nice touches before testing Shamal George with a shot from just outside the box.
Some excellent defending from Arron Darge prevented Matthew Clarke doubling Livi’s lead when he looked set to head home a Ricky Korboa cross.
Harrington tried his luck from distance with a low drive as Cove pushed for an equaliser but there was no way past George.
Instead it was Livingston who made sure of the win with four minutes to go when Sole was left unmarked to fire beyond Suman following Michael Nottingham’s long throw into the box.
Match Report: Danny Law
COVE RANGERSSuman, Doyle, Gillingham, Murray ▊, Darge ▊, Yule, Fyvie ©️ ▊, Scully, Harrington, McGrath (Glass 62), Gaffrey Subs not used: |
LIVINGSTONGeorge, Brandon ©️ (Nottingham 76), McGowan, Montaño, Clarke, Pittman, Kelly ▊, Green (McAlear 30), Muirhead (Sole 56), Winter (Yengi 65), Smith (Korboa 76) Subs not used: Goals: |
Referee: Euan Anderson | HT: 1-0 | Att: 243 |