Saturday 31 July 2010

Ross County 2 - 1 Livingston


Livingston's 14 year unbeaten record over Ross County finally came to an end this afternoon as they bowed out the Co-operative Insurance Cup in Dingwall.

There was no obvious gulf in league status between the clubs, with Livi playing confident, attractive football throught, belying their Second Division status.

County did, however, begin to take the upper hand as the first period wore on, and were rewarded with the lead on 37 minutes when Di Giacomo slotted home despite a suspicion of offside with the through pass.

And that was to be the only scoring of the first half, as the Livi players headed down the tunnel feeling very unfortunate to be a goal behind.

So it was that eleven fired-up Lions took to the field for the restart, and it took only three minutes for them to draw level. Robbie Winters left the Staggies' defence in his wake as he expertly set up Iain Russell who neatly buried the ball into McGovern's net.

Livi now had their First Division opponents reeling, and were given a further boost on the hour mark when County's Iain Vigurs was given his marching orders for an off the ball flying elbow.

But as so often happens when sides lose a player, the Staggies hit back nine minutes later when Andy Barrowman's flashing header left Bullock stranded to retake the home side's lead.

Livi then laid siege to County's goal in search of an equaliser but were unable to make the breakthrough, helped in no small part by some resolute County defending and an enthusiastic assistant referee.

Ross County: McGovern, Miller, Morrison, Boyd, McCormack, Lawson, Vigurs, Scott, Brittain, Corcoran (Barrowman 59), Di Giacomo (Craig 80)
Subs Not Used: Malin, Wood, Gardyne

Livingston: Bullock, Barr (McNulty 87), Talbot, Sinclair (Ky.Jacobs 77), O'Byrne, MacDonald, Fox, Kn.Jacobs, Barr, Russell (De Vita 78), Winters
Subs Not Used: McDowall, Malone

Att: 1215

Ref: S O�Reilly