Livingston 2 United 1

United went down to a 2-1 defeat after a last minute Ryan Hardie strike. Robinson had Livi ahead at the break but Matty Smith levelled things with 15 minutes remaining. With United pressing to win the game they were caught out by Hardie's late goal.  

By Gareth Scott

Csaba Laszlo made two changes to the United line up for the trip to play an in form Livingston side. Tam Scobbie and Scott McDonald returned with Craig Slater and Matty Smith dropping to the bench. Former United man and new Livi signing, Lee Miller, led the line for the hosts.

First Half

In the first three minutes Harry Lewis twice denied Ryan Hardie. Firstly the Livi front man gathered the ball at the edge of the area and Lewis did well to tip the ball round the post. His second save was even better when he saved Hardie's shot from close range following a flick on from Miller. United endured a period of early pressure but produced their first chance on the nine minute mark when a powerful drive from Gillespie was unlucky to deflect off Stanton and go out for a goal kick. A minute later Lyng broke forward and fired in a shot that was well saved by Alexander. The ball came back to Flood and again the shot was blocked before finally King shot over. With 20 minutes gone the home side took the lead with a very preventable effort. United failed to deal with a De-Vita free kick and the ball came out to Miller who laid it into the path of Robinson who shot low into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box. Just after the half hour mark United were almost level. Flood showed great tenacity in midfield and set up King who ran and sent in a dipping effort that Alexander brilliantly turned round the post. Shortly after and following a lengthy spell for treatment United were forced into a change with Mikkelsen replacing the injured Emil Lyng. United then had a stroke of luck when Hardie had the ball in the net with a header but thankfully the linesman had ruled him to be in an offside position. In the dying minutes of the half Lewis produced a great save from a De-Vita free kick and then Cadden dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area. 

Second Half:

United made another change at the start of the second half with Matty Smith coming on for Grant Gillespie. Immediately the hosts were on the ascendancy when Robinson broke into the box but he shot well over the crossbar. With 51 minutes gone Durnan was booked for a challenge on Pittman and from the resulting free kick Cadden curled his effort wide. United then twice went close to equalising. Flood was first when he was set up by King and his left foot drive was tipped over by Alexander. From King's corner the ball found the head of Scobbie but the United man flashed his header just wide of the target. Hardie was proving to be a real handful for Livingston and he once again posed a threat when his long range shot was well saved by Lewis low to the goalkeepers left. With 20 minutes left Livi once again had the ball in the net but on this occasion Robinson was well offside. With 15 minutes remaining United pulled themselves level. Stanton did brilliantly in the middle of the park and his pass set up the unmarked Matty Smith who slammed the ball past the helpless Alexander. Stanton then did well on the right and his cross was headed wide by Mikkelsen. United were really pressing for a winner and almost went ahead with six minutes left. McMullan broke forward and played the ball out to King and his back post cross landed at Murdoch. He cut inside and a brilliant fingertip save from Alexander denied him. United then had a penalty appeal when Mikkelsen went down in the box but play was waved on. United were made to pay when in the final minute another long ball was not dealt with and the ball came out to Hardie who shot past Lewis to give the home side the points.

Summing Up - another disappointment for United and their loyal travelling support. Alexander made two great saves but the hosts did have the majority of the chances and this result leaves United well adrift from league leaders St Mirren.

Man of the match - Sam Stanton; put in a shift for United and certainly showed desire throughout.

Teams:

Livingston: Alexander, Lithgow, Halkett, Gallagher, Robinson, Pittman, Byrne, De-Vita (Mullin 79), Cadden (Longridge 79), Miller, Hardie

Subs: Maley, Buchanan, Jacobs, Boyd, McMillan

United: Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, Durnan, McDonald (McMullan 81), King, Stanton, Flood, Robson, Gillespie (Smith 46), Lyng (Mikkelsen 37)

Subs: Quinn, Slater, Mason, Deniz

Referee: Craig Thomson

Attendance: 1604