Livingston 0-0 Kilmarnock: Anderson penalty miss leaves bottom side frustrated
- Published
Bruce Anderson's missed spot-kick left Livingston five points adrift
Livingston arrested their eight-game Scottish Premiership losing streak, but David Martindale rued a late penalty miss in the stalemate with Kilmarnock.
Derek McInnes' Kilmarnock side largely had the best of the opportunities as they looked to capitalise on last weekend's bold victory over leaders Celtic, but lacked the same intensity to pick off the division's bottom club.
The home team had the opportunity to snatch victory with fewer than 10 minutes to go, with all expectancy sucked out of the ground as Bruce Anderson's effort bounced off the upright.
Despite avoiding an eighth consecutive defeat, Martindale's men stay five points adrift at the bottom while the visitors remain fifth.
The Livingston boss told BBC Scotland: "There was nothing at all in the game. If I take the penalty out the game, you're probably looking at 0-0 and thinking that's a true reflection of the game.
"We've had a free shot and not hit the target from the penalty, that's disappointing. When you're going through a period of adversity, everything goes against you."
Desperate to halt their losing slump, the hosts came flying out the gates in an attempt to catch Kilmarnock cold, but Ayo Obileye's strike was safely into the arms of Will Dennis.
Captain Kyle Vassell led the charge as Kilmarnock grew into the game, with both his diving header and fierce effort from a tight angle asking a rare question of the home backline.
The second period played out much like the first, with the visitors having the best of the half-chances while failing to test Shamal George.
Vassell and David Watson skewed efforts wide, before Danny Armstrong's drilled ball across the face of goal eluded both players as the clock ticked on.
After holding on, Livingston were presented with a golden opportunity to seal a much-craved three points when the ball struck the arm of Stuart Findlay, though Anderson's lack of accuracy compounded the frustration felt in West Lothian.
Player of the Match - Danny Armstrong (Kilmarnock)
Surprise, surprise. Armstrong was the only player on the park who looked capable of creating a chance and hurting the opposition, with his team-mates failing to match his sizzling standards.
Both sides fail to hit their targets - analysis
Put simply, neither side were good enough in the context of their respective ambitions this season.
Kilmarnock harbour European hopes after backing up their first away win of the season at Pittodrie with a rousing victory over the champions.
If they want to pack their suitcases and head on their travels next summer, failing to pick off the division's confidence-devoid bottom club won't do much for their continental chances.
As for Livingston, if they are to pick themselves off the floor, they have to take golden chances on the sparse occasions they are offered.
In truth though, if Anderson had stuck away his spot-kick, it would have been three points that papered over the cracks of another turgid performance that made it seven games without a goal.
The draw does stop the rot somewhat, but it's still clear that Martindale has significant work to do if his side are to avoid the drop as the teams around them pick up points.
What they said
Livingston manager David Martindale: "In normal circumstances, you've got your point and a clean sheet and you're dusting yourself down and moving on, but it doesn't feel like that at this point in time.
"It's just about every one of sticking together and getting the club to where it needs to be. Now the preparation goes to the Aberdeen game."
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought that we were the better team. It wasn't without its concern. We got a wee bit of luck with a missed penalty. It's a point, the performance maybe deserved more.
"Danny Armstrong, for a spell in both halves, couldn't have done much more. He was different class. Even when he's not at his best, he never hides. I love that. He has that swagger."
What's next?
Livingston play their game in hand against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday (19:45), while Kilmarnock host resurgent St Johnstone on Saturday (15:00).