Ross County vs Livingston. Scottish Premiership.
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Match report as Ross County beat Livingston in five-goal thriller; Livingston six points adrift at bottom of Scottish Premiership after loss; visitors had fought back from two goals down but Josh Sims' late winner seals win for Ross County
Saturday 24 February 2024 19:40, UK
A stoppage-time winner by substitute Josh Sims in a 3-2 victory boosted Ross County's survival hopes and drove a dagger into the hearts of bottom-side Livingston.
Having fought back from two goals down to level this bottom-of-the-table tussle, Livi threatened to turn the match on its head in the closing stages.
Trailing to Eamonn Brophy's first-half double in the space of seven minutes, Livi mounted a brave comeback when substitute Bruce Anderson also struck twice.
But Sims cancelled out Anderson's 86th-minute leveller in the second additional minute to leave County six points ahead of their rivals and just two adrift of 10th-placed St Johnstone.
Livi were clearly boosted after ending a 16-match winless run with a home success against St Mirren last week, but it was County who posed the greater threat as they sought to record their first victory of 2024.
Brophy, back in favour after being given only a bit-part role for much of the season, lacked composure after six minutes, otherwise the home side would surely have been in front.
Michee Efete created an opening for the striker when he laid the ball off for Brophy, but his shot from the edge of the box was a little too high.
Victor Loturi went closer in the 13th minute with a cracking 25-yarder, forcing Shamal George to finger-tip the ball over the bar.
Livi's best chance fell between these openings when Jamie Brandon made a smart dash down the right side before sending over a probing cross which George Wickens was glad to claw away.
Andrew Shinnie, following up, saw his effort blocked before the ball was eventually scrambled clear.
Livi proved to be much less composed under pressure and paid a heavy price as a consequence of failing to shackle Brophy, who followed up his 21st-minute opener with a second in the 27th minute.
But they threatened to eat into their two-goal deficit when Tete Yengi unleashed a powerful shot from the left side, forcing Wickens to push the ball over the bar.
It also served as a warning that the Livi players were not of a mind to simply roll over and accept their fate.
If the County players required any further proof that they were a long way from being home and dry they got it within 67 seconds of the restart.
Anderson made an immediate impact when he found the net from the centre of the box following a set-piece.
It then required the combined efforts of Wickens and Efete to deny Jason Holt a 61st-minute equaliser as Livi stepped up the pressure.
Holt was again at the centre of the action in the 71st minute, this time forcing a quick reaction block by Wickens.
When Anderson struck with four minutes remaining Livi looked like they had salvaged a point - that was until Sims produced the cruellest of endings.
Livingston manager David Martindale:
"I thought our game management for that third goal was ridiculous - terrible.
"In the first half, it was a wee bit toothless, gutless - we couldn't get close enough. Our distances were all wrong.
"The first goal was a blatant error, under no pressure at all. A lack of focus leads to the first goal. It gives Ross County momentum and takes a wee bit of belief away from us.
"The second goal we don't go in tight enough. We were too narrow and give Brophy too much room.
"We threw caution to the wind in the last 10 minutes with big Kurtis Guthrie on and get the second goal back.
"At that point, maybe I should have changed it back to a back four or five and taken the point. I never thought the momentum was with us.
"Unfortunately we get done with a sucker punch. Again, defensively, we've got to do a lot better as a unit."
Ross County interim manager Don Cowie:
"We were very good in the first half and were worthy at 2-0 up.
"I was really disappointed to lose a goal so early in the second half. It gave Livingston a massive boost and it became a difficult half of football.
"But we hung in there and came up with a bit of magic to win the game. I'm delighted for the group.
"The fact they kept going like that was pleasing. Most people would have assumed it would be Livingston who would go on and get the winning goal at that stage, but we came again.
"It's the character that I know is in that dressing room."
Ross County's next Scottish Premiership game is at home to St Mirren on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 8pm.
Livingston host Motherwell on Wednesday night, with that match also live on Sky. Kick-off 8pm.
