Livi made it two wins on the bounce as they recorded an impressive victory on the road at 4^th placed Dundee United. Ayo Obileye netted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as The Lions climbed to 8^th in the cinch Premiership table.

The visitors started the better of the two sides, and created the first real chance of the game after some fantastic pressing from Jack McMillan. The midfielder robbed Jeando Fuchs of the ball in the final third, and found Montaño who gave it to Alan Forrest. The winger tried his luck from the edge of the box but his left-footed effort flew agonisingly wide of the post.

United went in search of an opener themselves after Livi’s positive start, and they ended the first half in good fashion. After some good work down the right from Kieron Freeman, the full back found Peter Pawlett and he cut the ball back for the advancing Ian Harkes. Just inside the box, the American met the ball with a strike but his effort flew over the bar much to the home fans’ frustration.

It was goalless at the break, but both sides had shown glimpses of quality as they pushed for an opening. The hosts maintained their positive showing from the end of the first half into the start of the second, and created a good chance through Declan Glass. The young midfielder did very well on the left wing as he cut inside only to fire at Stryjek’s front post and into the side netting.

Livingston were dangerous too, and nearly took the lead again through Alan Forrest. A kick forward from Stryjek was knocked down well by Bruce Anderson for Forrest as he drove towards the United box. From just outside the area, the winger’s ferocious strike stung the palms of Siegrist and the rebound fell to Scott Pittman on the edge of the box before being scrambled away by Fuchs.

On 67 minutes, Livingston were awarded a penalty by referee Gavin Duncan as they were given a massive opportunity to take the lead. Some brilliant chasing down from Pittman and Forrest forced Fuchs into a mistake, and led to the Cameroonian bundling over Andrew Shinnie inside the box.

Ayo Obileye stepped up to take The Lions’ first penalty of the season, and looked confident having been successful in every spot kick last season for Queen of the South. It was coolness personified by the defender as he strolled up to the ball and sent it into the bottom right corner, sending Siegrist the wrong way in the process to give Livingston the lead.

It’s the defender’s first Premiership goal for the club, as he takes his tally to two in all competitions after netting on his competitive debut against Brechin City in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

Buoyed by conceding, Thomas Courts’ side went in search of an equaliser and looked threatening with the introduction of Louis Appere. The attacker beat Devlin on the left wing before sending a low cross towards Ilmari Niskanen who had picked up a dangerous position just inside the Livingston box. The Finnish midfielder hit it first time, but his effort went narrowly beyond Stryjek’s post to the Polish goalkeeper’s delight.

United chucked everything at it in the final stages, throwing Ryan Edwards up front and hoping for a chance to grab a point at the death. Livi defended valiantly though as they stood firm to hold out for a vital three points.

David Martindale’s elation at the full-time whistle was evident as his side made it six points in just four days, with back to back clean sheets too as an added bonus! The victory at Tannadice propels Livingston to 8^th in the cinch Premiership.

Match Report: Calum Brown

Dundee Utd: Siegrist, Mulgrew, Niskanen, Pawlett, Clark (Appere 86), Edwards ▊, Glass ▊ (Meekinson 87), Freeman (Sporle 49), Harkes, McMann, Fuchs ▊
Subs not used: Hoti, Carson, Levitt, Smith, Watson
Goals:

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin ▊, Fitzwater, Obileye, Penrice, Holt ▊, Omeonga (Pittman 56), McMillan ▊, Forrest, Montaño (Bailey 52), Anderson (Shinnie 63)
Subs not used: Maley, Kelly, Longridge, Sibbald
Goals: Obileye (66 pen)

Referee: Gavin Duncan
HT: 0-0
Att: 4,552

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