Falkirk 1 Livingston 2: Many happy returns for Hughes after late goal

Monday 3 September 2012

JOHN HUGHES stood, arms aloft, facing the home stand.

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Thomas Williams

His Livingston side had theirs wrapped around all three points, Anthony Andreu on hand to direct a shot into the top corner in the 92nd minute to apply a dramatic twist to a decidedly average spectacle.

The French forward had capitalised on a slip by Craig Sibbald to advance to the edge of the box before sweeping the ball into the net from 20 yards out. His reaction was typical for a player who has scored a late winner, but Hughes' was informed by the fact it had come against his former employers. Visibly calmer by the time he reflected on the game, the Livingston manager felt his side "showed real courage" to secure the points. "For Tony Andreu to come up with the winner like that after the work he put in – I'm delighted for him and the whole team," he said. They were made to work hard for their win after Paul Watson was sent off for scything down substitute Andrew Haworth shortly after the break. "I don't think it was a great game, I have seen us pass the ball quicker and better, but I've no complaints over the sending off," Hughes added.Falkirk also saw red before watching the points disappear to West Lothian when Darren Dods was dismissed late on for a second booking after subjecting Livingston's Iain Russell to a bear hug.His inclusion had been a bonus to Falkirk, offering a typically youthful side a pillar of strength and experience. He was joined by striker Sean Higgins who was brought in on transfer deadline day. Those seasoned figures will likely prove invaluable to their side as they endeavour to improve on a eighth-place berth in the first division as the season progresses but it was not enough yesterday.They had been given a helping hand – quite literally – from Craig Barr, but the Livingston defender's shove on Stewart Murdoch in the box on the 32nd minute went unpunished by referee Euan Norris. A tumble by David Weatherston under the attention of Livingston's new loan signing Callum Booth and Watson did merit a spot-kick and that was converted by Stewart Murdoch. the visitors responded six minutes later when Callum Fordyce glanced a header in from Russell's corner.Even after Livingston were reduced to 10 men Falkirk struggled to break them down. The lack of cutting edge maintained Livingston's interest in the match and hope lived on until Andreu's impressive strike in stoppage time which secured maximum points.

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Falkirk 1 Livingston 2: Many happy returns for Hughes after late goal

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