Livingston 1-0 Ross County: Ayo Obileye penalty puts hosts through in Scottish Cup
- Published
Ayo Obileye's coolly taken penalty gave Livingston the lead
Ayo Obileye's penalty gave Livingston a narrow and nervous Scottish Cup fourth-round win against Ross County.
Obileye converted after Declan Drysdale had fouled Bruce Anderson around the quarter-hour mark.
Alex Samuel, Kayne Ramsay and Dominic Samuel headed wide as Ross County searched for a second-half equaliser.
The closest Livi came to a second was Odin Bailey's strike that flew narrowly wide and they will face Hearts away in the fifth round.
With these two sides drawn together, there was going to be at least one top-flight side knocked out at the fourth-round stage.
And Livi looked the more determined not to suffer such ignominy early on, imposing themselves on County in the first half.
Livingston won a series of set pieces without getting in efforts at goal and it was from open play they won their spot-kick.
Anderson chased a long ball and was taken out by Drysdale, who received a booking, and Obileye was coolness personified from 12 yards.
County struggled to retain possession in attacking areas. Alex Samuel reached a through ball before goalkeeper Max Stryjek but was unable to make anything of it with no support.
Alex Samuel and Ramsay headed wide from promising positions either side of Bailey's effort and Dominic Samuel stooped to nod off target.
Livi saw it through in the end but could have made the closing stages more comfortable when Alan Forrest set up Bailey in the box, the feet of keeper Ross Laidlaw blocking the shot.
What they said
Livingston manager David Martindale: "We defended our box very well. On another day, I think we could've had another couple of goals. It's cup football - you've got a clean sheet and you're in the hat for the next round. I'll take it. Cup run's important to clubs our size.
"It's nice to find a penalty taker where 95% of the time you think it's going to hit the back of the net."