Livingston thrash Ayr United 4-0 in first game since Gary Holt exit
- Published
Interim boss David Martindale has not ruled out applying for the Livingston manager's job
Livingston won their first match since the departure of Gary Holt in emphatic style as Ayr United were eased aside in the Scottish League Cup.
In a whirlwind opening 12 minutes, Josh Mullin's ball went in off Joe Chalmers' head and Jack Fitzwater netted twice.
Alan Forrest added a fourth against his former club just before half-time.
Livi, who were under the interim charge of David Martindale and Tony Caig, reach the last eight of the tournament for the third time in four seasons.
The quarter-final draw takes place on Sunday.
Prior to the match, Martindale told BBC Radio Scotland he may consider throwing his hat in the ring for the managerial vacancy. The performance will surely have boosted his chances.
The Premiership club did not hang about in setting out their intent. Scott Pittman had a shot deflected wide and from the resultant corner they opened the scoring after 54 seconds.
Mullin took a short corner to Forrest and when the ball came back to Mullin wide on the left he curled in a cross that brushed the head of Chalmers before nestling in the net.
Fitzwater, back in the side after a two-game absence, dispatched the beyond Viljami Sinisalo in the Ayr goal after a Mullin corner was flicked on by Nicky Devlin. The full-back's second was a terrific header from Craig Sibbald's cross.
Mullin's header flew over the top as the home side dominated. The midfielder was at the heart of a lot of Livi's play and from another set piece on the right he provided again two minutes before the interval.
His curling free-kick broke off the back of Sibbald and Forrest blasted it home from 14 yards.
Championship Ayr looked shell-shocked by the approach of the home team and struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first half but looked a more competitive force after the break.
Although few chances materialised in the second period, Livingston's superiority continued with an impressive passing possession performance and Holt may be wondering if his decision to resign was a bit too hasty.
Livingston interim coach David Martindale: "I said to the boys to got out and do it for Gary Holt and I think the passion and the desire was all there. We started at a great tempo and that result was as much for Holty as it was for anyone else at the club."
Ayr United player-manager Mark Kerr: "We set up an attacking team and we lose a goal after a minute, it's really poor. To lose another one shortly after doesn't allow you to get going. The start kills it and we never got the chance to get back in the game."