Livingston changed their manager at the weekend in search of a winning formula but ex-Hibs midfielder, Marvin Bartley, failed to find the spark to snap the club’s long winless run.
The home side went 2-0 down to Falkirk, the side who pipped them to the Championship last season, in the first 25 minutes but a blunder by The Bairns allowed Livi in two minutes into the second-half and they pushed hard for a goal to level. The effort failed to produce so the depressing run continues.
Earlier, Bartley, said pre-game that it was a clean slate, and added he can’t accept being bottom of the William Hill Premiership.
With that in mind, he made three changes to the side for his first game in charge, Scott Pittman, Emmanuel Danso and Stevie May all dropping to the bench while Lewis Smith was introduced alongside Mo Sylla and Brooklyn Kabongolo.
But a mistake in the Livingston rearguard, an Achilles heel for much of the season, allowed Louie Marsh to find Kyrell Wilson who made no mistake with the finish from an angle. Time six minutes.
It was a big boost to Falkirk manager, John McGlynn, who had earlier decided on Filip Lissah and Fin Yates with Keelan Adams and Dylan Tait making way. Winger Ben Broggio, who was recruited on deadline day, was on the bench.
Falkirk could have doubled their advantage soon after. Barney Stewart headed past Livi goalkeeper, Jeromy Prior, but, after a VAR check, the decision was offside. However, The Bairns did not take long to increase their lead, Marsh netting after exploiting another defensive error.
Calvin Miller sent in a corner and the ball was nodded to the back post where Marsh made no mistake. Time 25 minutes. It could be a long night for The Lions as Falkirk, buoyed by the early goals, continued to dominate and Stewart found Miller who failed to control the ball properly.
Falkirk, undoubtedly, deserved to be ahead, but this was not the start that new boss Bartley, on the club’s long-suffering fans at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, wanted.
However, the home fins inside the Home of the Set Fare Arena received a big lift early in the second half when a mistake by Falkirk following a corner and Connor McLennan was in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net. Time 47 minutes.
VAR reviewed the goal but the referee pointed to the centre spot. Livi were back in the game and Lewis Smith crossed for Sylla but he failed to make it count.
Falkirk responded and Ethan Ross had a chance which the ball flashed wide before Miller broke, rounded Prior but hit the post.
That signalled changes, Marsh and Yeats leaving the play to be replaced by Dylan Tait and debutant Broggio. McLennan looked to have picked up an injury and he was replaced by May who forced a save from Scot Bain in the Falkirk goal as Livi pressed for an equaliser.
It was, however, Falkirk who were next to threaten, Miller shooting from the edge of the box but the ball flew wide.
Livi were not a spent force and they pressurised The Bairns in search of an equaliser as the clock ticked down, but their effort failed to produce against the club they beat 3-1 on August 9, The Lions’ last win in the William Hill Premiership.
ON THE MARK: Connor McLennan, scored for The Lions, but it was not enough. Picture Nigel Duncan
