Livingston roared back from two goals down to save a precious Scottish Premiership point against struggling Dundee in a momentum-swinging match.

With the swirling wind and battering rain against them in the first half, home goalkeeper Jerome Prior parried Ethan Hamilton’s shot to his left-hand-side, but Dundee’s Yan Dhanda was on hand to volley in a superb strike for his first league goal of the season.

Heads were left shaking, and they were in the hands of the home support five minutes later when wingers Tony Yogane and Cameron Congreave linked up, with the latter neatly cushioning in a second, which sent some fans for the exit before 20 minutes of play.

They perhaps should have stuck around for the second half though, as Livi were much improved with the elements working in their favour.

The powerful Jeremy Bokila shrugged off Dundee defender Billy Koumetio to crash in a well-deserved goal for the galvanised hosts.

Experienced forward Stevie May forced a save from distance, while Daniel Finlayson flicked a header wide with life breathed back into the basement side with an equaliser brewing.

With five minutes of regulation time remaining, substitute Tete Yengi steered a fairly harmless effort on target but visiting goalkeeper Jon McCracken made a mess of dealing with it and watched the ball run between his legs to spark scenes of relief among the home ranks.

If there was to be a winner, it looked certain to be for Livi, but Dundee’s Emile Acquah was through on goal as set to shoot, but home captain Ryan McGowan hauled him down to deny him the chance of a last-gasp winner and took the red card instead.

The draw still leaves Livingston four points adrift of Dundee, who hop up to 10th, but within three points of Kilmarnock who visit Aberdeen on Sunday.

If ever a game encapsulated the cliche a game of two-halves, this was it.

In treacherous conditions, Dundee could not have looked more comfortable at half-time. They barely allowed Livingston to leave their half and they looked destined to stretch seven points clear of their hosts who were booed off at the break.

But, as well as their turn in fortunes with the forecast, Livi showed such spirit to spark the second half into a contest.

They battered down the Dundee defence at a devastating rate and would have been wildly unfortunate to not at least pick up a point on such an important afternoon.

Martindale stressed pre-match it was a game his side “needed to win” and while they haven’t done that, this will feel like a positive step.

Having now played the same number of games as languishing Killie, they are just three points off Stuart Kettlewell’s side who will be well within their sights.

The magnitude of this game has perhaps been lost a little in the awful elements, but if there is to be a happier camp it ought to be Livingston who displayed the fight which will be rehired – once again – if they are to preserve their Premiership status.

Match report: Amy Canavan

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