Partick Thistle did not kick a ball in anger on Saturday but the Firhill side still had a good day as both of their closest challengers dropped points.
Dunfermline Athletic undertook the trip to Livingston in good spirits following their cup defeat of Thistle seven days earlier. However, any hopes of going three points clear at the top of the table received a severe blow when they were reduced to 10 men after Callum Morris was red-carded for a rash tackle on Stefan Scougall with just 18 minutes played.
It was a setback from which Jim Jefferies' side never fully recovered as goals from Jesus Garcia Tena and 17-year-old substitute Danny Mullen put Livingston in control.
The home side also had a man sent off when Craig Barr upended Ryan Wallace in the box in stoppage time, Andy Barrowman netted the resulting penalty. However, it was scant consolation for manager Jefferies, who knew his men had a mountain to climb after the dismissal of Morris.
"Getting a man sent off left us with a lot to do and gave them the lift they needed," said Jefferies. "There was no need for Callum Morris to make the challenge the way he did."
The result may have lifted Livingston on to the fringes of the title race but manager Gareth Evans was more interested in highlighting his youth policy. He said: "I was pleased that Danny [Mullen] got his goal because he is only 17, but he shows what we are trying to do at the club."
In the only other first division match to survive, third-placed Morton were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw at Raith Rovers.
Even a point had looked beyond the Greenock men when Greig Spence put Rovers ahead five minutes from the end. However, Martin Hardie atoned for an earlier missed penalty when he stabbed home the equaliser.
Morton had twice led through Kevin Rutkiewicz and David O'Brien, only for former Cappielow striker Brian Graham to level on each occasion.
Only one game beat the weather in division two and it ended in dramatic fashion as Arbroath's hopes of a morale-boosting win ahead of their cup replay with Celtic were dashed by Stenhousemuir's late equaliser at Gayfield. Arbroath had cancelled out Bryan Hodge's opener to lead through Steven Doris and Stuart Malcolm.However, Stewart Kean earned the Warriors a point with virtually the last kick of the game.
Elgin City remain Rangers' closest challengers in division three after they came from behind to beat Clyde 2-1 at Borough Briggs.
Clyde went ahead when John Kane's shot deflected in off Mark Nicolson but they were pegged back by a fortuitous Stuart Leslie goal. Elgin's David Niven was shown a second yellow card early in the second half but his side claimed victory when Leslie added a second.
Annan Athletic scored twice in the last two minutes at Galabank but could not prevent Queen's Park from securing a 3-2 win thanks to Tony Quin's penalty and goals from Tony McParland and Aidan Connolly.
Peterhead were on course for only their second away win when Scott McLaughlin put them ahead at Berwick Rangers. However, Darren Lavery earned the Wee Rangers a point.
Partick Thistle did not kick a ball in anger on Saturday but the Firhill side still had a good day as both of their closest challengers dropped points.
Dunfermline Athletic undertook the trip to Livingston in good spirits following their cup defeat of Thistle seven days earlier. However, any hopes of going three points clear at the top of the table received a severe blow when they were reduced to 10 men after Callum Morris was red-carded for a rash tackle on Stefan Scougall with just 18 minutes played.
It was a setback from which Jim Jefferies' side never fully recovered as goals from Jesus Garcia Tena and 17-year-old substitute Danny Mullen put Livingston in control.
The home side also had a man sent off when Craig Barr upended Ryan Wallace in the box in stoppage time, Andy Barrowman netted the resulting penalty. However, it was scant consolation for manager Jefferies, who knew his men had a mountain to climb after the dismissal of Morris.
"Getting a man sent off left us with a lot to do and gave them the lift they needed," said Jefferies. "There was no need for Callum Morris to make the challenge the way he did."
The result may have lifted Livingston on to the fringes of the title race but manager Gareth Evans was more interested in highlighting his youth policy. He said: "I was pleased that Danny [Mullen] got his goal because he is only 17, but he shows what we are trying to do at the club."
In the only other first division match to survive, third-placed Morton were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw at Raith Rovers.
Even a point had looked beyond the Greenock men when Greig Spence put Rovers ahead five minutes from the end. However, Martin Hardie atoned for an earlier missed penalty when he stabbed home the equaliser.
Morton had twice led through Kevin Rutkiewicz and David O'Brien, only for former Cappielow striker Brian Graham to level on each occasion.
Only one game beat the weather in division two and it ended in dramatic fashion as Arbroath's hopes of a morale-boosting win ahead of their cup replay with Celtic were dashed by Stenhousemuir's late equaliser at Gayfield. Arbroath had cancelled out Bryan Hodge's opener to lead through Steven Doris and Stuart Malcolm.However, Stewart Kean earned the Warriors a point with virtually the last kick of the game.
Elgin City remain Rangers' closest challengers in division three after they came from behind to beat Clyde 2-1 at Borough Briggs.
Clyde went ahead when John Kane's shot deflected in off Mark Nicolson but they were pegged back by a fortuitous Stuart Leslie goal. Elgin's David Niven was shown a second yellow card early in the second half but his side claimed victory when Leslie added a second.
Annan Athletic scored twice in the last two minutes at Galabank but could not prevent Queen's Park from securing a 3-2 win thanks to Tony Quin's penalty and goals from Tony McParland and Aidan Connolly.
Peterhead were on course for only their second away win when Scott McLaughlin put them ahead at Berwick Rangers. However, Darren Lavery earned the Wee Rangers a point.
* The Scottish Football League have rearranged seven of the fixtures that fell foul of the weather at the weekend with only the first division match between Airdrie United and Falkirk awaiting a new date.
The first to be played will be between Alloa Athletic and Queen of the South, the match taking place tomorrow night at Recreation Park at 7.30pm.
Fixtures. First Division
Tuesday, December 18 – Hamilton Accies v Dumbarton. Saturday, February 2 – Cowdenbeath v Partick Thistle (3.00 pm). (These games are subject to change due to potential Scottish Cup ties)
Second Division
Tuesday, December 11 – Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South (7.30pm), Tuesday, December 18 – Albion Rovers v Forfar Athletic, East Fife v Stranraer. Saturday, December 22 – Brechin City v Ayr United (3.00pm).
Third Division
Wednesday, December 19 – East Stirlingshire v Montrose.
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