Livingston 1-3 Motherwell: Sam Nicholson, Blair Spittal & Jack Vale goals earn win
- Published
Livingston's early hopes of victory were ended by Sam Nicholson's header
Livingston's hopes of retaining their Scottish Premiership status looks increasingly bleak after Motherwell came from behind to administer an 18th league defeat of the season.
Second half goals by Sam Nicholson, Blair Spittal and Jack Vale secured the points for Stuart Kettlewell's side, who are now within just three points of the top six.
Tete Yengi's third-minute goal seemed like it might set Livingston on the way to eating into the seven-point gap separating them from 11th-place Ross County.
But David Martindale's side could not build upon that and stay well adrift, having played a game more than their nearest rivals and with just 10 matches left.
Things had seemed to be looking up for the host when Yengi's followed up to rifle in after Dan Mackay's initial effort was saved by Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal.
Indeed, the Australian was all over Motherwell in the opening exchanges and almost set up a second when he played in MacKay again, but his strike from the edge of the box was wide.
Yengi had another chance of his own before half-time but his effort was gathered by Kelly.
But while Livingston netted three minutes into the first half, it was Motherwell who did the same in the second.
Nicholson was the man who scored it on his first start for Stuart Kettlewell's side, as he headed in Stephen O'Donnell's cross.
Spittal grabbed the second just over 10 minutes later with a fine rifled strike beyond substitute goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
And half-time substitute Vale grabbed the third, heading beyond McGovern after a lovely ball into the box from Theo Bair.
The win moves Motherwell up to eighth and keeps their top six hopes very much alive.
Player of the match - Blair Spittal (Motherwell)
Blair Spittal's second-half wonderstrike put Motherwell well on their way to the victory and the midfielder looked assured for the duration of the game.
Positives for Well, more misery for Livi - analysis
Victory ends Motherwell's run of 11 away games without a win and puts them back in the fight for a top six spot.
They looked slightly uncomfortable in the opening half but Stuart Kettlewell said before the match he knew things can sometimes go "a bit rogue" in these games and insisted that they would be ready for that.
It didn't look much like it in the first half though, Livingston looked comfortable with their lead and even managed to create a few chances going forward.
The second half was a different story with Nicholson scoring his first goal in claret and amber less than three minutes into the restart - it was a nicely worked goal as well.
Spittal's thunderstrike gave them a bit of breathing space and, after weathering a bit of pressure from the home side, Vale made the final few minutes of the game even more comfortable.
Ten games to go, three points off Dundee in sixth - the race for top six is on.
As for Livingston, it was another miserable night. Despite their lively start, they couldn't manage to hold onto their lead and didn't seem to have a response to going behind.
The seven-point gap between them and County will feel even bigger for Martindale as the games continue to whittle down.
What they said
Livingston 'looked really fragile' in Motherwell loss
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I think anybody that watched the game could see that we were the better side and deserved to win the game.
"A lot of good individual performances, a lot to like from us but we don't get carried away from one good performance. You have to win points and pick up victories and I am delighted we did that."
Livingston manager David Martindale: "Everybody knows where we are, it is a difficult period and it definitely changes your mindset in the game, the boys become a bit more risk averse.
"A difficult night but Motherwell deserve the three points."
What's next?
Livingston travel to face St Johnstone, while Motherwell have a trip to Ibrox to contend with. Both of those kick off on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.