Tale of two penalties suits Livingston

DONE and dusted. Despite a last gasp equaliser from a battling Ayr United side, and barring a calamitous collapse, Livingston football club will realise their dream of premier league football next season.

Both sides were fully committed to achieving victory in a game which was peppered with contentious refereeing decisions, several dreadful challenges and plenty of controversial goalmouth action.

Ultimately, however, it was a tale of two penalties, the football never fluent but the viewing as compelling as any first division encounter this season. Visiting manager Jim Leishman seemed both relieved and disappointed. "They really had to win the game and so it was a better point for us despite losing a disappointing goal in the last minute."

There was never any doubt that this intriguing encounter would occupy Somerset Park as anything other than a physical battle. From the outset the league leaders surged towards their hosts goal and brutish challenges were soon coming thick and fast. Steven Tosh, Livingston's snapping, terrier-like midfielder received a dose of his own medicine in the opening minutes when both Marvyn Wilson and Pat McGinlay stole the ball with a fierce yet legitimate double tackle.

Leishman's side are more creative than combative but after Lee Sharp speared a forceful half volley that was denied only by Neil Alexander's superb fingertip save, Ayr's Wilson and Gary Teale were both cut down in quick succession.

The next foul proved costly. In the 16th minute Alex Burns crossed precisely into the Ayr box with David Bingham dummying for Barry Wilson. The accomplished striker dragged the ball past Neil Duffy before slumping to the turf where upon referee Stuart Dougal promptly pointed to the spot. Wilson grabbed the ball and duly crashed it home to a crescendo of booing.

Controversy pervaded this entire contest and almost immediately Marvin Andrews appeared to manhandle John Bradford in the visitor's box but Dougal confidently waved away appeals. The home supporters vented their disapproval, especially after the strapping John Anderson scythed down wee Marvyn Wilson.

Minutes later Dougal had words with a disgruntled Gordon Dalziel on the touch line before Eddie Annand - clearly frustrated - was booked for aiming a kick at goal keeper Alexander. Five minutes from the interval Ayr unintentionally came close to an equaliser when Annand's cross deflected off Phillipe Berinquin only for Alexander to claw the ball to safety via the crossbar.

Both managers must have issued orders to calm over zealous challenges during the break as initially a more friendly approach was adopted. Yet when Craig McEwan's free kick from 25 yards out 10 minutes in saw Alexander barged over his goal line clutching the ball it looked ominous. There was a feeling that the home side, pre- season promotion favourites, were roughing up rivals that through the course of the season had quietly stolen the mantle of best team in the division.

Livingston's Trinidad and Tobago's international Andrews spent last weekend in the sunny Cayman Islands and perhaps the bitter Ayrshire cold had aggravated him into several robust aerial challenges.

In the 70th minute he floored diminutive United midfielder Wilson in the centre circle invoking concerned gasps as a stretcher was frantically summoned. A shattered cheekbone was later confirmed as the outcome.

Difficult to interpret the challenge as accidental or intentional the referee issued a warning further inciting the crowd when soon after the burly defender prevented McGinlay from levelling with a close-range volley by virtue of his big toe.

Ayr however were not finished. With 10 minutes remaining they pressed forward relentlessly. First Bradford provided a great through ball for Teale but his shot flew agonisingly wide spurning a great opportunity to ensure a furious finish.

There was one anyway, when a second penalty appeal was refused for handball. After this Ayr channelled their disillusionment into prolonged attack and Michael Hart drove narrowly past the upright with both McGinlay's and John Bradford's attempted back heels failing to connect.

With seconds remaining and seemingly no justice, salvation arrived when Bradford was felled by Frenchman Brinquin in the area and a third penalty appeal was successful.

The Frenchman later admitted he had made a mistake, and Bradford had no intention of letting it go unpunished as he confidently slammed home for a deserved share of the spoils.

Home manager Dalziel clearly felt his side's second half domination merited more than a point and was clearly fuming with the referee. "To be quite honest with you I am very tempted to talk myself into trouble but I've got to concentrate on other things."

That would be second place.

AYR UNITED

LIVINGSTON

Copyright 2001
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