Livingston 2-0 Motherwell: Miller sent off in fourth successive defeat for visitors
- Published
Lennon Miller was sent off just before half-time for Motherwell
Livingston secured their first Scottish Premiership win since August by punishing 10-man Motherwell with a dominant display.
Having struggled in attack especially this season, the hosts were given impetus when Lennon Miller was sent off for bringing down Daniel MacKay on the stroke of half-time.
David Martindale's men made the most of their advantage through Bruce Anderson's tidy finish, before Sean Kelly's penalty confirmed his side's first win in six games.
Motherwell's fourth league defeat in a row means both sides are level on 10 points.
And from the outset, Livingston were the team in the ascendency. Stephen Kelly was twice unable to get a proper shot away from 12 yards after good work down the right by Joel Nouble and MacKay.
Clear chances dried up for the remainder of the half, though, before a huge incident on the cusp of half-time.
Anderson cleverly played in MacKay, who would have been clean through had his leg not been clipped by the right shin of Miller. Referee Don Robertson showed the red card and there were no protests by the teenager or his team-mates.
That dismissal meant it was going to be a long second half for Motherwell, whose resistance was broken quickly and by some real quality.
MacKay got the better of Brodie Spencer down the right and fired across a sumptuous low ball for Anderson to net his sixth goal of the season.
Within 10 minutes, Livingston had their second; a solid spot-kick by Sean Kelly following a clear foul on James Penrice by Bevis Mugabi.
Livingston thought they had a second penalty when Jason Holt was upended, but VAR deemed the foul to be outside the box.
However, that decision did not prevent them from climbing into the top six, while Motherwell stay in fifth.
Player of the match - Bruce Anderson (Livingston)
MacKay also impressed, but Anderson showed his quality with a fine finish
'No panic for Motherwell as Livingston thrill' - analysis
Martindale chopped and changed his side to find something he felt would work, and it did, albeit with the help of a one-man advantage in the second half.
If he can keep Anderson fit for a whole season he will have a striker who delivers 15-20 goals. A full-speed MacKay is thrilling to watch as well.
The results show four losses on the bounce for Motherwell, but in truth that's harsh on them. Three of them have been one-goal defeats, two against the Old Firm, and this loss came after a sending off.
But there will be no panic at Fir Park as Stuart Kettlewell seeks to turn the tide in a fortnight.
What they said
Livingston manager David Martindale: "I think the clean sheet is the most pleasing aspect. I thought we were very good, even when it was 11 v 11. Motherwell came in good form, but I think we got the game plan spot on.
"Obviously, they go down to 10 - that makes it easier for us - but we took our two goals well. We controlled a large majority of the second half, as you should against 10 men."
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "Our organisation behind the ball let us down and it really does frustrate me. I pride myself on it. For Livingston to get a break off that situation and get in behind really angers me.
"I'm not making any excuses. I can guarantee we'll come back stronger and put the work in to rectify what was a poor performance."
What's next?
After the international break, both sides face away trips on 21 October as Livingston head to Kilmarnock while Motherwell are at St Johnstone (both 15:00 BST).
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