Manager Davie Martindale opted for the same side that defeated Hibs 3-0 at Easter Road the previous week, as Livingston looked to make it a club record six Premiership wins in a row. 

That couldn’t have got off to a better start when with just nine minutes played, in-form striker Scott Robinson beautifully lobbed the ball over Ross Laidlaw after Nicky Devlin’s long ball. It was the frontman’s fourth goal in just five Premiership games.

But, John Hughes’ side, who were buoyant after a win and a draw from their last two, looked to bounce back immediately, and on the 29th minute, they levelled.

Harry Paton drove forward and attempted a shot on goal, but didn’t connect properly with the effort. The skewed shot turned pass landed perfectly in the path of Charlie Lakin who fired beyond Max Stryjek from close range.

Just before half-time, the visitors really should’ve taken the lead. Some good build-up play ended with Jason Naismith whipping in an inviting cross to the unmarked Oli Shaw, but the striker’s header from just inside the six-yard box flew over the bar.

The Lions had a couple of chances themselves before the break. Ciaron Brown headed over from a Josh Mullin corner before Jason Holt smashed a low drive across the box which wasn’t couldn’t be turned in by anyone.

After a fairly evenly matched first half, Livingston took the game to Ross County in the second 45, looking for their eighth consecutive win in all competitions.

It was beginning to look like Martindale’s men would need to settle for a point, but with nine minutes to go his inspired substitutions paid off.

After some fantastic skill from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas just over the halfway line, the forward found Scott Pittman who drove towards the box. Pittman played a one-two with Jack Hamilton, then slipped it to Alan Forrest who, with a slight luck of a deflection, smashed past Laidlaw to make it 2-1.

Any hopes of a Staggies equaliser were put to bed in injury time when substitute and returning loanee Jack Hamilton made it 3-1. Jason Holt headed forward to the striker, who flicked it wide for Alan Forrest. The winger worked his magic and drove into the box, past Coll Donaldson, and squared for Hamilton who, under pressure from Keith Watson, poked home for his first Premiership goal of the season.

That wrapped up another fantastic win for Livingston, their sixth top flight win on the bounce. Up next, a trip to Celtic Park.

Livingston: Stryjek, Brown, Ambrose, Guthrie, Devlin, Bartley, Holt ▊, Sibbald (⇔ Emmanuel-Thomas 79), Pittman, Mullin (⇔ Forrest 68), Robinson (⇔ Hamilton 71)
Subs not used: McCrorie, McMillan, Serrano, Taylor-Sinclair, Lawson, Tiffoney,
Goals: Robinson (9), Forrest (81), Hamilton (90)

Ross County: Laidlaw, Draper ▊, Shaw, Watson, Iacovitti ▊, Kelly (⇔ Andreu 84), Lakin (⇔ Vigurs 84), Tillson ▊ (⇔ McKay 74), Naismith, Paton ▊ (⇔ Charles-Cook ▊ 67), Donaldson
Subs not used: Randall, Gardyne, Hylton, Reid, Doohan
Goals: Lakin (28)

Referee: Alan Muir
HT: 1-1
Att: BCD
Match Report: Calum Brown

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