Livingston twice came from behind to earn a 2–2 draw with Aberdeen, keeping their slim survival hopes alive heading into the final weeks of the season.

Livingston returned to action as they hosted Aberdeen, looking to build on a much-needed 2–0 win away at St Mirren in their previous outing. That result had ended a long wait for victory and offered a timely boost in confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.

Aberdeen arrived in slightly stronger form, carrying momentum from back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Hibernian and Kilmarnock, and were looking to continue their upward trajectory.

With Livingston aiming to build on rare positivity and Aberdeen seeking to extend their run, the stage was set for a clash between renewed belief and growing momentum in West Lothian.

Martin Bartley made one change from the win against St Mirren, with Cristian Montaño coming in for Babacar Fati, who dropped to the bench. Aberdeen also made one change, as Dennis Geiger replaced Lyall Cameron.

First Half: Aberdeen takes the lead after lively start

Livingston started on the front foot in the opening minutes, clearly encouraged by their recent win in Paisley.

A cross from the left-hand side from Montaño was deflected over the bar for Livingston’s first corner of the game, leading to a period of sustained pressure on the Aberdeen box. As the game settled into its rhythm, it became more even with both sides making forays into the opposition half.

Livingston worked a clever throw-in from the left-hand side into the box, finding Joel Nouble, who hit his shot wide.

In the twenty-fourth minute, Mitchel Frame found space as he cut inside the Livingston 18-yard box and curled a low shot past Jérôme Prior to make it 1–0 to Aberdeen.

Aberdeen began to push forward more regularly, with a free-kick deep in the Livingston half punched clear by Prior. Olutoyosi Olyusanya made his way to the byline, his low cutback missing everyone before Dennis Geiger’s shot was blocked by a sliding Mo Sylla.

Livingston went back up the other end and had a chance of their own, with the tempo of the game lifting. Aberdeen then created another opportunity, with Geiger sliding a pass through to Kevin Nisbet, who found Stuart Armstrong, forcing a good save from Prior.

At the other end, the ball made its way to Nouble, who curled a lofted effort towards goal, but Dimitar Mitov pushed it over the bar. Montaño then made a driving run past several Aberdeen players, with the ball falling to Daniel Finlayson, who tried to return it to him inside the box. Montaño went down looking for a penalty, but the referee waved it away. That proved to be the final action of the half as the whistle went.

Second Half: Livingston respond twice in open contest

In the opening moments of the second half, Lewis Smith found his way into the box and picked out the newly introduced Barrie McKay, whose shot was pushed over the bar by Mitov.

From the resulting corner, Finlayson headed the ball into the danger area, and after a scramble in the Aberdeen six-yard box, Nouble managed to get the touch to nudge it over the line for a Livingston equaliser, 1–1.

Montaño went down injured in the fifty-eighth minute and was substituted, with Babacar Fati coming on. The Colombian left the field to a standing ovation from the Livingston support.

As the game entered the final thirty minutes, it remained evenly poised, with both sides contributing to an end-to-end contest following the early second-half equaliser.

Aberdeen regained the lead from a free-kick near the corner flag, delivered by Armstrong. Nisbet rose highest to meet it, and although it beat Prior, a final touch off Finlayson sent the ball into the net, making it 2–1.

The lead didn’t last long. The ball dropped to Robbie Muirhead on the edge of the box, and after taking a touch, he curled a brilliant effort into the top corner from 20 yards out to make it 2–2 with 12 minutes left to play.

Livingston pushed for a winner late on, with Muirhead seeing another effort blocked by Aberdeen defenders. A high foot then gave Livingston a free-kick on the edge of the box, but the effort went wide of the post.

After six minutes of added time, the final whistle confirmed the draw, leaving Livingston still with a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop, with nine points left to play for.

For Livingston, it was another sign of resilience and growing belief at a crucial stage of the season, even if a win ultimately proved just out of reach. Aberdeen, meanwhile, will feel they had opportunities to take all three points but were unable to hold onto their advantage in an open and competitive encounter.

Match report: Alastair Hogg

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