Livingston 1-1 Dundee United (agg 4-3)

Alan Lithgow nodded Livi's goal from close range after the United defence failed to deal with a diagonal ball

Livingston booked their place in the Scottish Premiership play-off final thanks to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

Leading 3-2 from the first leg, Livi hit the front on Friday through Alan Lithgow's close-range header.

Scott Fraser squared it with a brilliant piece of skill and a composed finish from Scott McDonald's pass.

The hosts held on and will face the side finishing 11th in the top flight with a Premiership berth the prize.

The top flight's bottom six teams play their final league fixtures on Saturday with Partick Thistle and Ross County occupying the bottom two places.

Lithgow grabbed his goal early on to give Livingston the perfect start to the play-off semi-final

Friday's semi-final started in dramatic fashion with some fans still taking their seats when Lithgow grabbed the opener.

Keaghan Jacobs floated a free kick to the back post and when Declan Gallacher nodded it back across goal, Lithgow was there to apply the headed finish from almost on the goal line.

That prompted the visitors into action and they took control with Billy King and Scott McDonald in particular posing huge problems for the home defence.

After 20 minutes United's pressure paid off.

McDonald played a wonderful reverse pass into the path of Fraser who turned Craig Halkett and Lithgow before driving a left-foot shot low beyond keeper Neil Alexander.

The goal gave the sizable band of travelling fans hope but it was the hosts who almost took the lead after the interval.

Jacobs drove forward and sent Scott Pittman through on goal but his shot came back off the base of the post with Jordan Thomson's rebound eventually cleared by the United defence.

King then had a chance for United but after finding space as he drifted in from the left, his angled effort was tipped over.

Scott Fraser scored an excellent goal to draw Dundee United level on the night

Livingston were then denied what looked a certain penalty when Bilel Mohsni appeared to handle a cross that looked destined for the head of Declan Gallacher.

United began to throw everything at it and substitute Matt Smith had a clear sight of goal but fluffed his effort straight into the arms of Alexander.

Livi substitute Scott Robinson then smashed a cracking effort off the bar as the home side almost killed the game.

But it was at the other end where the West Lothian side sealed their final berth, with Alexander making an excellent block to keep out McDonald's point-blank shot.

POST-MATCH REACTION

Livingston manager David Hopkin: "We had a stonewall penalty on Monday night, we had another tonight. Some of the decisions tonight were baffling - I thought Mohsni could have been off. Things like that infuriate me.

"I'm a very proud man for all my players and my staff. We work very hard in pre-season and look after the players, look after their dietary stuff and do everything we can to make sure they are in tip top condition.

"Neil Alexander had one fantastic save to make but we hit the post, hit the bar and should've had a penalty, so the game should've been out of sight.

David Hopkin was unhappy with some of the officiating despite his Livi side's win

"I have players here who put their body on the line. Our determination and work-rate is top class and has got us to where we are now.

"Whoever we play, they're very good teams even though they're at the bottom of the table. I just want to enjoy tonight."

Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo: "The boys tried everything to turn it around and we had a chance late on but didn't get it.

"They also had chances late in the game but that is the risk you take. I wish all the best to Livingston for the next two games.

"We have to bring a team together for next season and try to reach the dream to be in the Premiership. It will be a long summer with a lot of work. I am committed to the club and the most important thing is the club is willing to rebuild things."