Livingston v HibsSNS

Watch Livingston v Hibernian highlights

01/11/25

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland

Livingston scored a stoppage-time penalty to deny Hibernian victory in an absorbing contest and move the Scottish Premiership's bottom side to within two points of Dundee.

It seemed that Hibs would claim the win until substitute Nicky Cadden was penalised for a handball - after a VAR review - and substitute Graham Carey stepped up to fire a perfect spot-kick into the top-right hand corner.

It was a fitting climax to a game which ebbed and flowed right from the start.

Hibs led after just 18 seconds when Jamie McGrath struck a beautiful, first-time effort off the inside of a post from Thibault Klidje's clever knock-down. It was the league's fastest goal this season.

Livingston weathered the early Hibs whirlwind, in which Rocky Bushiri had a smart volley ruled out for offside, and hit back with a beautiful goal of their own.

Building from back to front, a series of swift passes ended with Scott Pittman pulling the ball back for Jeremy Bokila to apply the deftest of finishes into the bottom corner as parity was restored before the interval.

Pittman also felt unlucky to have a goal of his own disallowed earlier, when Callum Scott penalised Bokila for a foul on Grant Hanley in the build-up.

Hibs had beaten Livingston twice this season, with an aggregate score of 6-0, and looked like they would add a third triumph.

Restored to the starting XI after being left out against Rangers in midweek, Martin Boyle repaid David Gray's faith with a fine touch and turn inside the box to give himself the easiest of tasks to bury the ball beyond Jerome Prior.

Livingston's late leveller was just, and nearly came earlier than Carey's well-taken penalty. After a scramble in the Hibs box, substitute Tete Yengi should have scored but his weak effort was saved by keeper Jerome Sallinger's legs.

David Martindale's men refused to accept defeat, though, and deservedly drew level with virtually the last kick of the ball. They stay bottom - and are still looking for their first win since 9 August - but do edge closer to Dundee.

As for Hibs, spurning two points late on will sting, but they still move back into third place, ahead of Rangers and Falkirk on goal difference.

Analysis: Hibs have superior options but Livi never say die

Hibs graphic

Livingston will be glad they don't have to play Hibs for a while. They've played them three times this season, losing two and drawing one, with an aggregate score of 8-2.

The visitors got off to a flier and pretty much kept up the tempo throughout, with the exception of the second part of the first half in which Livi gave themselves a foothold.

With the quality of Boyle, McGrath and Josh Mulligan at their disposal, the capital club always looked the more likely, the more dangerous. They scored two good goals and could, arguably should, have had more.

As for Livi, they need to start winning, and quickly. Just the single Premiership victory from their opening 11 games.

They did, however, play very well at times here. They just can't seem to string together a 90-minute performance, and then a series of 90-minute performances.

It could have been worse for them, but for a 'hair-line' offside decision to deny Kieron Bowie an impressive third for Hibs.

Dundee's defeat at Tynecastle means Livingston are still bottom but not adrift.

What they said

Livingston manager David Martindale: "It was a good game for the neutral, if not the two managers. It felt like we were playing the referee at times, it felt like 'wee club' syndrome again.

"The players are pressing, they're hungry, they want to win games of football. We just need to manage games better."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "We were way below where we needed to be. We know we need to be miles better.

"We came up short in a game we were twice ahead in and had chances to win. If I'm honest, we didn't do enough to win the game. That's a reflection on me and my team. I set the team up; it's my responsibility."

What next?

Livingston are away to Falkirk on Premiership duty on Saturday 8 November (15:00 GMT), while Hibs' last match before the upcoming international break is a trip to face St Mirren later that day (17:45).

Player of the match

J. Prior
6.00
28 J. Prior
6.00
26 C. Montaño
6.00
27 D. Wilson
6.00
19 D. Finlayson
6.00
30 J. Brenet
6.00
24 M. Sylla
6.00
7 Mahamadou Susoho
6.00
17 S. May
6.00
8 S. Pittman
6.00
15 L. Smith
6.00
18 J. Bokila
6.00
40 S. Lawal
6.00
10 G. Carey
6.00
22 A. Shinnie
6.00
39 T. Yengi
6.00
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