Ross County 0 Livingston 3

Last updated : 12 August 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Livingston continued their winning start to the new season with a comfortable victory over Ross County at Victoria Park. Livingston started well and won a free-kick in the first minute but Lee Makel's cross was headed behind by Steven Craig.

After seven minutes County's Kevin McKinlay was the first name into referee Scott MacDonald's book for a late tackle on Craig. County then mounted their first attack but McKinlay screwed the ball wide of Craig White's left-hand post after Michael Gardyne set up the chance. James McPake was the next player to fall foul of the ref, after he lunged in on Gardyne.

The home side were starting to find their feet and a swinging cross from McKinlay was headed behind by Steven Tweed with Gardyne lurking. Paul Shields took a knock for the visitors and was replaced by former County striker Steven Hislop in the 27th minute.

Livingston took the lead three minutes later. David MacKay swung in a speculative ball from the left touchline that deceived County 'keeper Craig Samson and went in off the inside of the far post.

County tried to hit-back and Craig Gunn slipped the ball through to Gardyne but McPake got a foot in to clear. But it was Livvy who were exerting most of the pressure and they doubled their lead in the 44th minute. A short corner from Joe Hamill was curled in at the near post by Makel and Derek Adams could only help the ball into the net.

County brought on Hugh Robertson for Mark McCulloch as the home side regrouped. But it was Livvy who took the initiative as Jason Thomson burst through the home defence only to shoot into the side netting. Then Hislop almost scored against his old team when he fired just wide after being put through by Hamill.

The pressure paid off and Hamill's deep cross in the 54th minute was headed in by Craig from the six-yard line to put Livingston 3-0 up.
County swapped Fergus Tiernan for Stuart Anderson in midfield, but it was Livvy who were well in control.

They nearly extended their lead when McPake got on the end of a Makel delivery in the 68th minute but his header was tipped over by Samson.