Queens Grind Out Draw At Livi

A late Dylan Mackin goal earned Livingston a point as they battled back after falling behind against Queen of the South.

Livingston  2  Queen of the South 2

The home side opened the scoring in the first half through midfielder Josh Mullin, but found themselves pegged back after the break.

Queens scored twice in the space of six minutes through substitutes Andy Stirling and Derek Lyle.

Mackin was on hand with nine minutes left, though, to level the scores.

Post-match reaction

Livingston manager David Hopkin: "We started well, we got the penalty and go 1-0 up. In the second half I thought we were dominant but then there were two mistakes. We usually deal with things and I don't think we've conceded a goal where teams have played through us, it's individual errors. But the boys dug in and we were pushing on for a winner.

"From my experience of two years ago, it's whoever makes the least mistakes [in the Championship] wins the game. That's what we're trying to nullify. We've got a young side, but they give me everything. It's just taking care of the final third and we could have three points, but I've said that on two or three occasions this season.

Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith: "We'll be happier with the point, we were only in control of the game for maybe about a third of it. For the first 55, 60 minutes Livingston were the better team and they will feel aggrieved they only got one point. Livingston are very fit, they play a different shape than you come up against week to week and they're very efficient. We had tried to prep the players, but sometimes you just can't get it right. When we made the triple substitution and changed the shape of the team, we came back into it.

"Andy Stirling's been very frustrated, the formation we've played in the last few weeks hasn't suited him. When we made the change we went to 4-4-2 and he scored a great goal. Del [Lyle] was aggrieved not to start the game because he's been banging the goals in, but he comes on and answers that in the best possible way. They were two fantastic finishes.

"I thought James [McFadden] would have a bit of adrenaline, having just signed for the club, and getting his foot back in the door so would give us a wee spark. You could see the flashes he's got, but we need to get him up to match speed. On and off the pitch he'll be a big player for us. The help he gives the younger players, passing on wee tips."

Tanman on target

Queen's goalie shows safe pair of hands

 Dobmeister thwarted

Images courtesy of www.qosfc.com