Yengi strike secures famous win for Livingston

David Martindale suffered a massive blow 12 months ago when Livingston were relegated from the top flight, but The Lions roared in Dingwall as Livi bounced back to the elite thanks to a battling performance at Ross County.

They came from 2-0 down to secure a 4-2 win in Dingwall and how the fans celebrated. Defender Danny Wilson told SkySports: “The boys put in a good second half and we achieved our target which was promotion.”

County had experienced difficulty in scoring goals this season, so the pressure was really on, but they looked on course to stay in the William Hill Premiership when they moved to a 2-0 lead after 24 minutes. Martindale’s men had other ideas.

They fired four unanswered goals between the 39^th minute and the final whistle to claim victory, Robbie Muirhead’s superb strike after 61 minutes putting them ahead and then substitute Tete Yengi making the most of a mistake in the County defence to blast Livingston back into the big time with the last kick of the match.

Earlier, it was Livingston who had the first chance when Christian Montano latched onto the ball in the penalty box but was unable to turn.

Seconds later, the visitors forced a corner on the left and it was floated in deep but cleared by the home side who opened their account after six minutes.

Roland Hale was sent down the left and he cooly sent an inch-perfect cross ball into the box which was met by the unmarked Joshua Nisbet who calmly slotted home leaving Livingston with an uphill task.

The Lions hit back minutes later and Jamie Brandon had a sight of goal from outside the box but he blasted over. Then, Steve Pittman latched onto a loose ball but his left foot shot flew wide.

Ross County were a threat and they pressed forward. They pounced on a mistake by Livingston when Stephen Kelly took a pass from his goalkeeper Jerome Prior but miss-controlled the ball and that allowed Ronan Hale to nip in and drive into the box and towards the goal to score No 2 and heap even more pressure on Livingston. Time 24minutes.

Martindale’s (pictured) men attempted to reply and Ross Muirhead’s effort was sent for a corner. It failed to produce an opening but Livi had another chance seconds later. Again they failed to make it count.

Danny Wilson did, however, direct a header towards goal from a corner but County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah collected comfortably. The West Lothian side were, however, having their best spell, forcing several corners, but the delivery was poor.

That lack of quality was critical but the visitors hit back. Lewis Smith took control of the ball just inside the County half, beat three home men as he drove towards goal and then dispatched the ball low into the bottom of the home net from an angle on the left of the box. Brilliantly executed and finished and Livingston were back in the game. Time 38 minutes.

Smith was again centre stage as he powered down the right and crossed high into the danger area but the ball was cleared and Ryan McGowan was yellow carded as the visitors attempted to land another blow to the William Hill Premiership side.

The scoreline stayed the same despite three minutes of injury time and Livingston will rue those two mistakes which cost them dear.

The Championship side made a bright start to the second half and a Smith shot was deflected for a corner but there was a scare at the other end when Nisbet scampered clear and sent his shot just wide of the far post.

George Harmon was forced to leave the field through injury and Zachary Ashworth was introduced as Livingston continued to press. William Nightingale was booked for a tackle on Smith just outside the box and Livingston levelled through Danny Wilson, the ball looping just wide of Amissah.

VAR ran a check but the goal stood and the sides were level after 58 minutes with all to play for in the remaining 31 minutes.

Seconds later Muirhead picked up the ball on the left hand side of the box and he steered it home into the side netting to send the travelling fans wide and put Livingston into the lead.

It was a stunning goal, but it was not all one way and Connor Randall forced a save out of Prior in a breakaway.

Livingston boss Martindale decided to take Montano off and send on tall striker Tete Yengi, providing a variation in attack, but Alexander Samuel was next to threaten for County. His shot was saved by Prior.

Daniel Finlayson was yellow carded before Stevie May was introduced for Muirhead with 14 minutes remaining and May sent the ball into the box from the right. Yengi made a hash of the opportunity.

County made a change with Kieran Phillips coming on for Nightingale as the minutes ticked on, and Hale flashed a shot towards goal from distance forcing Prior to save low down to his right.

Michael Nottingham and Macaulay Tat were introduced for Smith and Kelly by Martindale and Nottingham was in the game straight away, sending the ball for a corner, and it was scrambled away after a crucial block from McGowan.

Six minutes of added time were signalled, much to the surprise of Martindale, but he was celebrating when Yengi blasted the ball home to secure promotion at the first time of asking for Livingston who finished second in the Championship.