Livingston 2-1 Raith Rovers: Scottish Cup progress for Premiership strugglers
- Published
Dan MacKay's late winner gave Livingston their first win since 7 October
Dan MacKay's late winner gave Livingston victory over Championship Raith Rovers - their first in 14 matches - and put them into the Scottish Cup fifth round.
Hibernian loanee MacKay, who netted for Inverness CT in last season's final, got on the end of Stephen Kelly's cross and produced a downward header that bounced up and beyond Kevin Dabrowski.
It completed a turnaround after Livingston had trailed early to Jack Hamilton's low strike.
The hosts watched Andrew Shinnie's penalty come back off a post but Jamie Brandon's excellent finish had brought them level before MacKay's winner.
It was 7 October when Livingston last won a match, and this victory has the double-edged meaning of a turning point in form as well as the cup progression.
It didn't look good for the hosts when the Kirkcaldy men took an early lead.
Hamilton had previously spent a few seasons at Almondvale but only scored three times for the West Lothian side because he was more often out on loan.
Here, he showed his value by latching onto Aidan Connolly's lofted pass and drilling the ball through the legs of Shamal George.
Kyle Turner's foul on Shinnie gave the Livingston man the chance to level from the spot, but his effort bounced off a post and goalkeeper Dabrowski before bouncing clear.
Brandon signed for David Martindale's side in the summer of 2022, so his first goal for the club might have taken a little while, yet came at an important time. His blasted finish arrowing into the net.
As for MacKay's well placed winner, it could just be a game-changer for Livingston's season as well as this match.
What they said
Livingston manager David Martindale: "Before the penalty, I thought we were horrific. The start was terrible. It would have been easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves but they never. We built ourselves back into the game.
"I told the players, 'That wasn't me, or my staff, that was you.' No formations, no tactics, that was you who found a way to win that game. Hopefully the players can take a wee bit of confidence and a wee bit of a boost in their self esteem."
Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray: "Disappointing scoreline. To be on the wrong end of that one is sore. It is a disappointment for us. We played really well, showed really good quality and matched Livingston's physicality.
"I give a lot of credit to my players. Their work rate, first and foremost, and willingness to help each other was there. We were resolute and confident, but we just lacked that finishing touch."