Motherwell 3-2 Livingston: David Turnbull double proves decisive
- Published
Highlights: Motherwell 3-2 Livingston
Motherwell survived Livingston's fightback from 3-0 down in a crazy Scottish Premiership game featuring three first-half penalties - two of them missed inside a minute.
David Turnbull's double, including a spot-kick, added to Liam Donnelly's opener to have the hosts in control.
Livingston striker Ryan Hardie and Turnbull had penalties saved just before half-time.
Substitute Scott Tiffoney scored twice late on but Livingston could not level.
Motherwell were guaranteed seventh place and Livingston had already secured ninth, but both threw off the shackles to treat the fans to an end-of-season thriller.
The hosts finish with their highest points total in five years, while Livingston's total of 44 is their second best ever in the top flight.
It could have been even better had Dolly Menga snatched a late draw with a powerful drive that dropped inches wide.
Livingston roar back after defensive calamities
Livingston's successful first campaign in the top flight has been built on a solid defence, but they were a shambles at Fir Park.
Donnelly was left in acres of space to glance home a Turnbull free-kick for the 10th-minute opener and the visitors did not learn their lesson.
Motherwell were slicing through them at will and striker James Scott flashed a drive inches wide, before having a shot clawed behind for a corner by goalkeeper Ross Stewart. The danger was not over, though, as the set-piece was rolled into the box and Turnbull was left completely unmarked to sidefoot home.
It was 3-0 a couple of minutes later as Craig Sibbald's clumsy challenge on Gboly Ariyibi was penalised and Turnbull sent the penalty straight down the middle.
That was just the start of the spot-kick madness. Tom Aldred slid in to halt Ricki Lamie's surging run into the box and give Livingston a penalty shortly before the break. Hardie opted for low and hard but Mark Gillespie guessed correctly and dived to his right to make a fine save.
Motherwell broke straight upfield with Ariyibi leading the charge on the left. The winger played in Turnbull and the out-rushing Stewart clipped the midfielder's heels on the edge of the box. The Livingston goalkeeper made amends, though, by saving Turnbull's weak spot-kick.
After the frenzied first half, the second was a tame affair until Tiffoney took centre stage.
The 20-year-old bundled home from a couple of yards after Gillespie did well to keep out a Lee Miller header during an aerial bombardment from the visitors. Tiffoney's second was a classy angled finish inside the far post after he eased past David Devine.
That set up a frantic finale and fellow sub Menga almost rescued a point when he bent a drive narrowly past the post.
Substitute Scott Tiffoney scored twice in the second half
'We aren't going to stand in his way' - reaction
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "We are a club that sells players, so if a club comes in with the right offer then we aren't going to stand in David Turnbull's way.
"I said to him today to go and show people how well you can press the ball because we know how good you are on it. Him and Alan Campbell did that very well and we will enjoy him whilst he is here."
Livingston manager Gary Holt: "I'm delighted for everybody associated with the football club. The last four or five games haven't been ideal but when you're already safe there is going to be a little lull.
"The season is something we can be incredibly proud of and we will look to build for next year."