Partick 1 Livingston 3

Last updated : 28 January 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Partick were looking to bounce back after their exit from the Scottish Cup on Saturday but it was Livingston who had the best of the opening exchanges forcing two corners in the first three minutes.

Thistle did hit back and Martin Hardie should have done better after ten minutes but his header went wide from 15 yards out.

David Bingham tested Kenny Arthur in the Thistle goal after 14 means but he was able to hold on to his 20-yard shot.

There were no more chances for either side until the 33rd minute when Gustavo Bahoken's rasping 25-yard shot was tipped over by Thistle keeper Arthur.

From the resulting corner Livingston took the lead when Marvin Andrews rose above a crowd of players to head home from six yards.

However, the lead lasted only four minutes as Thistle equalised when Alex Burns struck a 30-yard free kick past Livingston keeper David McEwan who could only watch it flash past him into the net.

Partick started the second half intent on taking the lead and Burns was a constant threat to the Livingston defence. However they were unable to convert their pressure into goals.

Thistle paid the price for this when Livingston took the lead with their first clear chance of the second half. Rolando Zarate was not closed down by the Thistle defence and was able to slot the ball past Arthur into the far corner.

Livvy made sure of all three points in the 80th minute when another corner caused panic in the Thistle defence and Colin McMenamin was able to chip high into the net from ten yards out.

Partick tried in vain to pull another goal back but Livingston played out time to record what was in the end a comfortable victory.