Livingston supervisor David Martindale says he has “fireplace again in his stomach” and can push on to the tip of the season as his aspect claimed a dramatic late level towards fellow Scottish Premiership strugglers Ross County.
Livingston, who final gained a league match on the 7 October, seemed like being lower 9 factors adrift on the foot of the desk when Simon Murray lashed in his second purpose of the night time for County on 85 minutes.
However Martindale’s aspect confirmed they’re nonetheless preventing for his or her beleaguered supervisor by hauling themselves degree simply three minutes later, when Jason Holt’s cross was headed in by substitute Dan MacKay.
It was the second time Livingston managed to battle again from a purpose down, having allowed Murray to creep behind their defence and fireplace within the opening purpose earlier than the break.
However Scott Pittman stabbed residence from contained in the field after a knock down from Kurtis Guthrie to make sure this important recreation was degree by half-time.
“I used to be down on Saturday however half an hour after doing the tv I had the fireplace again in my stomach able to struggle,” Martindale advised BBC Scotland.
“I would like all people to know me and my employees are right here to matchday 38. We’ll take care of no matter on matchday 38. We’ll give it every thing we have to remain on this league.”
The importance of the sport was mirrored within the sides’ method after the interval as each surged ahead and created good possibilities to nudge in entrance.
County’s Jordan White might have scored from shut vary, and one of the best of Livingston’s possibilities fell to Bruce Anderson contained in the field, however the striker couldn’t end from eight yards.
After that chance got here and went it was appeared inevitable Livingston can be punished for his or her profligacy, and a minute later Murray managed a cross and smashed the ball past goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
It might have marked the start of the tip for Livingston within the prime flight, however an ideal cross from Joel Nouble, Holt’s inspiration and MacKay’s correct header retains their struggle for survival alive.
Martindale’s aspect are nonetheless backside of the desk and haven’t gained any of their previous 15 league video games, however the hole to County, winless in seven in all competitions and within the relegation play-off spot, stays six factors.
Albeit, Derek Adams’ aspect have two video games in hand.
Participant of the match – Scott Pittman
![Livingston's Scott Pitman (partially blocked) scores to make it 1-1 during a cinch Premiership match between Livingston and Ross County at the Tony Macaroni Arena](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/F0E6/production/_132507616_20976056.jpg)
Livingston nonetheless preventing, County questions – evaluation
Given their respective poor runs and what was at stake, it was a credit score to each groups that they attacked the sport and produced an entertaining match.
After hinting his time could also be up following Saturday’s defeat by Dundee, Martindale then mentioned he would “come out swinging” and hold preventing to maintain Livingston within the league, his greatest problem but in his practically 4 years in cost.
Twice coming from behind and the depth of this efficiency recommend his gamers are with him on that, and so they created sufficient alternatives to win.
The issue is that they nonetheless look brief in each containers. Murray’s second purpose got here because of defenders fully lacking a cross and leaving the striker unmarked on the again put up.
And up the opposite finish they had been profligate. Whether or not the supervisor can come up some signings earlier than Thursday’s switch deadline stays to be seen, given his repeated feedback about having little finances to work with, whereas additionally failing to draw gamers to a struggling aspect.
Ross County additionally performed some good stuff and created possibilities, however they’re but to win since Adams left mouths gaping in December together with his feedback a few lack of high quality in his squad, and in Scottish soccer typically.
He has introduced in new recruits to handle that, and Saturday’s slim defeat at Celtic Park and this efficiency confirmed enchancment. However till they get a victory there’ll at all times be the query of whether or not the gamers are behind the supervisor after two controversial outbursts.
Yan Dhanda’s future can be essential. The midfielder has agreed to hitch Hearts subsequent season and he excelled once more. Ought to Hearts are available with a suggestion to take him to Tynecastle earlier than the tip of the winter window, County’s fortunes would certainly undergo.
What the managers mentioned
Livingston supervisor David Martindale: “It was too open for my liking. The plan wasn’t to be open, however I can perceive it. It took them scoring for the boys to cool down. There was stress, frustration and anxiousness there. We had lots alternatives to go on and win and the boys must take enormous credit score to come back again from a dropping place twice.”
Ross County supervisor Derek Adams: “We scored a incredible purpose, an outrageous end to place us forward. We might have gone additional forward however we did not and allowed Livingston again within the recreation. That was tough for us. Entering into at 1-0 would have given us a bonus. The second half was a basketball match. With two minutes to go, we’ve to do higher.”
What’s subsequent?
Ross County host the aspect straight above them, St Johnstone, on Saturday in one other large recreation (15:00 GMT), in the meantime Livingston journey to Ibrox to face Rangers on the similar time.
Line-ups
Livingston
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23McGovern
- 12Brandon
- 21Nottingham
- 6Obileye
- 29PenriceBooked at 24mins
- 18HoltSubstituted forYengiat 89′minutes
- 22ShinnieSubstituted forMackayat 75′minutes
- 16BradleySubstituted forKellyat 72′minutes
- 8Pittman
- 19Nouble
- 28GuthrieSubstituted forAndersonat 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 1George
- 2Donnellan
- 9Anderson
- 10Kelly
- 11Mackay
- 20Sangare
- 33Yengi
- 36Culbert
- 40Lawal
Ross County
Formation 4-5-1
- 40Wickens
- 4Brown
- 28Ayina
- 35NightingaleBooked at 69mins
- 3Borthwick-Jackson
- 19KhelaSubstituted forWhiteat 54′minutes
- 21Jenks
- 18King
- 14LoturiSubstituted forSimsat 54′minutes
- 10DhandaSubstituted forSheafat 89′minutes
- 15MurrayBooked at 87minsSubstituted forHarmonat 89′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Laidlaw
- 11Sims
- 12Sheaf
- 16Harmon
- 17Henderson
- 26White
- 27Brophy
- 43Reid
Stay Textual content
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Match ends, Livingston 2, Ross County 2.
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Second Half ends, Livingston 2, Ross County 2.
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Nook, Livingston. Conceded by George Wickens.
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Foul by Tete Yengi (Livingston).
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Jordan White (Ross County) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Scott Pittman (Livingston) wins a free kick within the attacking half.
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Foul by Max Sheaf (Ross County).
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Michael Nottingham (Livingston) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Jordan White (Ross County).
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Joel Nouble (Livingston) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Max Sheaf (Ross County).
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Substitution, Ross County. George Harmon replaces Simon Murray.
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Substitution, Livingston. Tete Yengi replaces Jason Holt.
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Substitution, Ross County. Max Sheaf replaces Yan Dhanda.
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Objective! Livingston 2, Ross County 2. Daniel Mackay (Livingston) header from the centre of the field to the centre of the purpose. Assisted by Jason Holt.
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Simon Murray (Ross County) is proven the yellow card for a foul foul.
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Daniel Mackay (Livingston) wins a free kick on the proper wing.
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Foul by Simon Murray (Ross County).
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Objective! Livingston 1, Ross County 2. Simon Murray (Ross County) proper footed shot from the centre of the field to the underside left nook. Assisted by Jordan White with a headed cross.
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Try blocked. Bruce Anderson (Livingston) proper footed shot from the centre of the field is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Mackay with a cross.
Participant of the match
MurraySimon Murray
Livingston
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Squad quantity11Participant identifyMackay
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Squad quantity33Participant identifyYengi
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Squad quantity23Participant identifyMcGovern
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Squad quantity22Participant identifyShinnie
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Squad quantity16Participant identifyBradley
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Squad quantity18Participant identifyHolt
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Squad quantity9Participant identifyAnderson
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Squad quantity8Participant identifyPittman
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Squad quantity29Participant identifyPenrice
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Squad quantity12Participant identifyBrandon
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Squad quantity10Participant identifyKelly
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Squad quantity21Participant identifyNottingham
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Squad quantity19Participant identifyNouble
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Squad quantity28Participant identifyGuthrie
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Squad quantity6Participant identifyObileye
Ross County
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Squad quantity15Participant identifyMurray
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Squad quantity10Participant identifyDhanda
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Squad quantity35Participant identifyNightingale
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Squad quantity40Participant identifyWickens
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Squad quantity19Participant identifyKhela
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Squad quantity28Participant identifyAyina
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Squad quantity4Participant identifyBrown
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Squad quantity18Participant identifyKing
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Squad quantity3Participant identifyBorthwick-Jackson
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Squad quantity11Participant identifySims
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Squad quantity16Participant identifyHarmon
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Squad quantity21Participant identifyJenks
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Squad quantity14Participant identifyLoturi
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Squad quantity12Participant identifySheaf
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Squad quantity26Participant identifyWhite