Livingston 3 Partick 1

Last updated : 03 May 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Livingston's first home win of the season insured their SPL survival as the West Lothian side completed a clean sweep off Partick this season.

Only a freak series of results could deny Livingston now, but the defeat leaves Thistle still deep in the relegation dogfight.

Stuart Lovell came close in the 20th minute with a 25-yard drive that Kenny Arthur did well to parry but the goal was only delayed and Livingston opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Davide Xausa was picked out by Stuart Lovell in the penalty box.

The Canadian hitman controlled the pass beautifully on his chest before turning and lashing the ball past Jags keeper Arthur.

Although they continued to dominate it took until the 44th minute to add to their lead. Derek Whyte fouled Burton O'Brien just outside the box and Rolando Zarate curled a superb free-kick around the defensive wall and beyond Arthur.

But Thistle hit back deep ion injury time when David Lilley latched on to Gerry Britton's left-wing cross to head past Alan Main.

Although the visitors came close immediately after the restart, the home side wrapped things up after 50 minutes when Juan Jose Camacho got on the end of a Xausa cross to bullet a header past Arthur.

Stephen Craigan almost pulled one back for the visitors nine minutes from time, but Main somehow managed to get a hand to the Thistle player's point-blank header and preserve the lead.