Livingston leap frogged Ayr United for at least one day and closed the gap at the top of the league to 1 point as they secured a huge 2-1 win over Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. First half goals from Robbie Muirhead and Reece McAlear were enough despite a Brad Spencer second half penalty to take the three points back to West Lothian.

The Lions made one change from their 3-0 thrashing of Hamilton Academicals last Saturday, with the injured Scott Pittman replaced by the returning Michael Nottingham.

It wasn’t the best start for the Lions and Falkirk almost broke the deadlock with four minutes on the clock. Some lovely skill down the left wing by Calvin Miller got the better of Nottingham, striding forward before crossing the ball in. Dylan Tait looked to have squandered the chance but it fell to Barney Stewart at the back post, whose header was clawed out the air by Jerome Prior straight back to the Falkirk striker, but his second attempt whipped across the face of goal and out for a Livi throw.

And minutes later, the Bairns had another huge chance to take the lead. A Brad Spencer corner from the left was headed to the feet of Stewart. His shot bounced off multiple bodies before Ryan McGowan attempted to clear off the line, a Falkirk striker pressuring the Australian and almost kicking the ball over the line, this effort again blocked by McGowan and out for another corner which came to nothing.

Despite the Falkirk pressure, it was the Lions who took the lead on 13 minutes. A ball up to Stevie May was nodded back to midfield. It found the striker again who played the ball out to the left to Reece McAlear, who slid in Macaulay Tait. Through one-on-one the Hearts loanee was brought down by Nicky Hogarth and Graham Grainger had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Robbie Muirhead who slotted the ball to the bottom left-hand corner to make it three goals in three and to fire Livi 1-0 up.

Just past the half hour mark, Falkirk had another chance as they continued to dominate the first half. A mistake from Jamie Brandon played in Liam Henderson on the left wing, crossed the ball into the box. This was cleared but only to Spencer, who ripped his shot narrowly passed the left post and out for a goal kick.

Deep into injury time Livi made it two. Forcing a corner kick on the left-hand side, this was rifled into the box by Robbie Muirhead. Danny Wilson directed a header goalwards which was blocked on the line by Spencer, only for McAlear, on the ground, to sweep his leg at the ball and into the bottom corner.

Livingston had gone 235 minutes in the Scottish Championship without conceding a goal to Falkirk, however the Bairns pulled one back from the penalty spot ten minutes after the restart. Miller managed to break free on the left before slipping in Stewart, forcing McGowan into a sliding tackle, Taking none of the ball and a nick on the player, referee Graham Grainger again pointed to the spot, Spencer dispatching to Prior’s right as he dived the other way to reduce the deficit by half.

Falkirk were pushing everything they had into getting the equaliser however Livi’s defensive unit was holding firm. And Stevie May also restored their two-goal lead on 75 minutes. A wonderful cross by Cristian Montano found Tete Yengi at the back post who opted to head back towards the edge of the box for the onrushing May, but his shot was blocked well by Donaldson.

The hosts were continuing to pressure and good play by Aidan Nesbitt fed in Miller. The Bairns player expertly turned McGowan who slipped in the process, but the number 29’s effort lacked power and trickled through to the grateful Prior.

Livi were still pushing forward themselves, and a free kick by McAlear found the head of Montano who flicked it to Dan Finlayson. His cross was inch perfect but was met by Henderson. His header fell to McAlear but his shot was high and wild as the game ticked into the final ten minutes.

As the board went up for five minutes of injury time, Livingston were holding comfortable possession in the Falkirk corner. After a dubious decision where the referee overruled the linesman as to whether the ball was out of play, Falkirk powered forward looking for an equaliser. They managed to get a header towards goal, but this was wide and allowed Livi to continue running down the clock.

With just over a minute of added time remaining, Falkirk won a corner. Taken by Spencer it was deep to the back of the box, however it was easily defended by the Lions. Falkirk had a huge chance just as the clock was ticking over to full time, with Keelan Adams gliding forward down the right. With options available to the left, he instead opted to take on the shot, which fizzed past the back post, allowing Graham Grainger to blow the full time whistle and sending the 458 away fans into jubilation.

Match report: David Hastie

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