Motherwell continued their dominance over Livingston who equalled an unwanted record as they skidded to yet another defeat.
The Lanarkshire side coasted to a 2-0 success, taking their record to three straight wins at Livingston and their star player, Tawanda Maswanhise enhanced his reputation with a double. It could have been more.
He was substituted near the end after another five-star display which earned a standing ovation from visiting fans and they must wonder if Maswanhise will still be at Fir Park come the end of the January transfer window.
He is now Scotland’s top marksman with 13.
Making matters worse for The Lions was the result from Rugby Park where Kilmarnock earned a 3-0 win over Aberdeen who lost skipper Graeme Shinnie through a red card in the second-half after a high challenge.
Earlier, Livingston boss David Martindale believed his side were capable of a result at The Home of the Set Fare Arena despite not having won since August 9, a winless run stretching back 21 league matches.
He made three changes after the confidence-sapping 6-2 defeat at Aberdeen. Babacar Fati, who arrived from Finland recently, came in along with another newcomer, midfielder Emmanuel Danso, who signed from a Norwegian club.
Scott Pittman was in midfield with Samson Lawal and Lewis Smith dropping to the bench. Mo Susoho, on loan from Manchester City, and who scored at Pittodrie, was not listed.
Martindale confirmed pre-match that the mdfielder was recalled from his loan before completing a permanent move to Turkey. He made 19 appearances. Jeremy Bokila was suspended after his red card at Aberdeen.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou made one change from the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock right-back Johnny Koutroumbis coming in for Emmanual Logelo. He dropped to the bench.
Sam Nicholson was introduced to the squad following a long-term tendon injury as the Fir Park side looked for a fifth win in six outings.
It was Livi who were first to show, Muirhead, May and Pittman setting up a chance for McLennan but Well goalkeeper, Callum Ward, made a quality stop.
At the other end Motherwell counted, Just found Maswanhise and his header sailed into the net over Livi goalkeeper Prior. Time five minutes and an unhappy Martindale.
And it could have been 2-0 but for a late intervention by May near the goal line. It stemmed from a corner on the right and Paul McGinn headed towards goal, but May saved the day.
Prior saved again following a McGinn header as Motherwell maintained their pressure and Maswanhise hit the post in another raid on the Livingston goal.
Maswanhise continued to impress and he made Livi pay with a second after 28 minutes after Callum Slattery played him in before the in-form player sent the ball past Prior.
The 23-year-old Zimbabwean could have claimed a treble minutes later but sent the ball over the bar as the Livingston defence was posted missing and Prior was forced into another save as half-time loomed with Maswanhise was involved in a one-two.
There seemed no way back for the home side who could have been further behind had The Steelmen taken all their chances against a porous defence.
Livingston required a spark but it was Motherwell who dominated possession.
It appeared a long way back for the West Lothian strugglers who looked set to equal an unenviable record set by Hamilton who went 22 games without a win in the top division from November 2010 to April 2011, seven draws and 15 defeats.
At kick-off, Martindale’s men had drawn seven and lost 14, and they never looked likely as the second-half progressed like the first with The Steelmen on top until Livingston men had a chance when the Fir Park side gave the ball away on the edge of their own box.
Motherwell made changes, Nicholson coming on for his first game in 11 months along with Eythor Bjorgolfsson. Said and Just departed, whole Danso and May left the action for The Lions to be replaced by Sylla and Zimmerman.
No glory treble for Maswanhise who departed to be replaced by Longelo and Martindale, despeate to get something out of the game, then made three changes, Lawal, Smith and Tamm coming on. It made no difference as Motherwell comfortably secured the win.
TURKEY BOUND: Mo Susoho off to Turkey. Picture Nigel Duncan
