LIVINGSTON goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie believes the eight point lead St Johnstone hold over the Lions at the top of the Irn-Bru First Division doesn't mean hopes of promotion should be forgotten.

Livi go into tomorrow's away match with Dundee having lost their last two matches - including a 2-1 home reverse against the Dark Blues only two weeks ago - allowing the Saints to increase their stranglehold on the top spot.

But recent history involving the Lions' current number one proves that all hope shouldn't be lost, with 12 games and 36 points left to play for.

On this day four years ago, Livingston found themselves six points adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premier League table, after a seventh consecutive league defeat, this time at the hands of Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

With only 12 games left to play, the Lions - with McKenzie between the sticks - then went on a fine run of form, accumulating 19 points and - against the odds - avoided relegation on the final day in a tense 1-1 draw with tomorrow's opponents.

And now McKenzie - back at Almondvale for a second spell after rejoining in the summer - says that the current team has the same belief that they can bridge another significant points gap.

"We honestly believe that we still have a chance of winning the league." said Roddy, "St Johnstone have done well and they are on a long unbeaten run, but they have drawn a lot of those games.

"If we can pick up some wins and - if St Johnstone keep drawing or start to lose - then we've still got a chance.

"Big point gaps have been closed before, it is possible. A few wins is all it takes. If we can start winning games, we can apply some pressure to those above us and then come near the end of the season, they may feel that pressure a lot, whilst we are just concentrating on winning and playing well.

"Anything is possible in this division. There are a lot of points still to be dropped and picked up. We have to keep believing we can reach the top.

"Losing to St Johnstone last weekend was a disappointment. We knew that if we had won that game, we would have closed the gap to two points on them. Now we are eight points behind.

We have to keep trying though and if we can get a result tomorrow, we would be back on the right track."

Jocky Scott's side made Livingston pay for lapses in concentration at Almondvale Stadium a fortnight ago, with Mikael Antoine-Curier benefiting from sloppy play to give Dundee the lead after only 90 seconds.

McKenzie feels that the side made things too easy for their visitors on the day and says Livi must make life difficult for their opponents if they are to pick up that much-sought after win.

"We have to start the game a lot better this time. We were second to the ball on two or three occasions before we let Dundee's first goal in and we can't start games like that. Giving a team like Dundee a goal of a start is a big handicap.

"We have to got to be positive but also rigid in defence. If Dundee are going to get anything from the game tomorrow, we have to make sure they have to fight hard to get it.

"Games in this league are very well poised. Earlier in the season we had a lot of luck and were winning close games. Now they are going against us, so maybe it has evened itself up over the course of the season.

"But now we simply must win matches. And if we show the character needed against a strong team like Dundee, we've got every chance of getting things back on track tomorrow."