It was the proverbial game of two halves as Livingston sank to defeat at the hands of Motherwell on Wednesday night. Tete Yengi’s strike three minutes in was cancelled out by Sam Nicholson, Blair Spittal and Jack Vale in a second half turnaround.

The Lions made three changes from the side that suffered injury time heartache in the Highlands, with Mo Sangare, Stephen Kelly and Andrew Shinnie making way for Sean Kelly, Dan Mackay and Bruce Anderson.

It was the dream start for the hosts, with Jason Holt collecting the ball on the half way line. His pass to Tete Yengi was cushioned into Bruce Anderson’s path who read Dan Mackay’s run, delivering a wonderful through pass to the winger. His shot was blocked by the onrushing Liam Kelly, falling to the feet of Yengi who made no mistake firing home from the edge of the box for his fourth goal in seven games.

And the Aussie should have made it two shortly after. Determined play from Holt in the midfield again allowed him to pass wide to Joel Nouble, his cross found Yengi all alone at the back post who headed the ball to the ground before rippling the net, however it would be the side netting he hit.

It was Yengi again who would trouble Kelly in the Motherwell goal. A long ball to the striker was taken down well, allowing him to take control, cut inside and lash a shot towards goal. The shot was slightly scuffed and looked easy enough for Kelly to gather, however it would take the Scotland international a couple of attempts to have the ball under control.

Motherwell had a huge opportunity as the first half was coming to a close to level things up, with a low ball from the right finding Blair Spittal, his shot blocked well by Ayo Obileye. The resulting corner was also dangerous, finding Bevis Mugabi who rose highest to nod the ball to the bottom corner, forcing Shamal George into a smart save to prevent the equaliser.

Whilst the Lions opened the scoring early in the first half, it was Motherwell’s turn in the second half. Barely three minutes had ticked by before the ball was in the net for the visitors. Nice passing play along the edge of the box opened the play for a pass out wide for the Steelmen. It was Stephen O’Donnell who took control of the ball before sending a lovely cross into the box which was met by Sam Nicholson, who headed past George to bring the score back to level.

From that point on it was all Motherwell as they drove on to deal the devastating blow to the Lions. And it came not long after the first. Well had good possession in the Livi half and this was causing them problems. A cross from the right almost found Theo Bair but he was not able to connect. This did however allow the ball to fall to Spittal, who lashed the ball into the top corner on the half volley to send the away support into raptures.

The second half goal fest for visitors was completed three minutes from time, Bair receiving the ball on the right again allowing him to cross the ball to Jack Vale, who guided the ball past George into the net with his head to send the Lanarkshire side back along the M8 with all three points, and relegation concerns starting to become a reality for the Lions.

Match Report: David Hastie

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