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Livingston win on away goal LIVINGSTON escaped UEFA Cup ignominy last night after a dramatic end to their qualifying tie against FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein. The European minnows seemed to have won the game with the last kick of the game when Marius Zarn hooked the ball high into the net.

As the underdogs rose as one to celebrate their astonishing against-all-odds win, they glanced across to referee Ivan Novak in disbelief. Just as Welsh referee Clive Thomas had done during the 1978 World Cup when Brazil ''scored'' with the last kick of the ball against Sweden, the Croatian official claimed he had blown for full-time before the ball hit the net.

FC Vaduz players collapsed in despair at the decision while the Livingston players could not quite believe their luck. Indeed, it was only when Jim Leishman punched the air after chatting to his players and the referee it became apparent they had qualified for the first-round proper of the UEFA Cup by the skin of their teeth.

Not surprisingly, FC Vaduz players and officials were furious: ''Marius put the ball into the net from the corner in one movement and the goal should have stood,'' said defender Andre Niederhauser.

Livingston officials have always said they had gone into the UEFA Cup with not a care in the world. Judging by the way they played in the two legs against FC Vaduz, that is the best attitude to adopt because they won't go far in the competition.

It may be their first trip into Europe but Jim Leishman's side should have done better against a mediocre team from the fourth smallest country in the world.

Granted, last night's performance has paved the way to a much more glamorous and financially beneficial game in the next round but there was a distinct feeling of relief rather than expectation when the 90 minutes were up.

As opponents, FC Vaduz were enthusiastic but little else, and brought only five, that's right, five, supporters with them. After today's first-round draw in Monaco, Livingston could be preparing for a visit from the likes of Parma, Lazio or Paris Saint-Germain and the hordes that follow them.

Whereas Celtic, Rangers and, to a lesser extent, Aberdeen will be hoping for a reasonable run in the competition, Livingston have no level of expectation on their shoulders. Clearly they are still enjoying the role of European newcomers and over the two matches against FC Vaduz, they have played like novices. With quality opposition beckoning, they will have to start learning fast. A 1-1 draw in Vaduz may have looked good on paper, but up close they were guilty of not closing the game down after they had taken the lead through Oscar Rubio.

Last night, Livingston huffed and puffed as they had done in the first leg but could not shake off the plucky team from Liechtenstein, a country which is 16 miles long and four miles wide with a population of just 32,000.

The first half may have been dominated by Livingston in terms of possession but although playing three up front, they failed to create many chances.

Juanjo Camacho came close twice and Rolando Zarate also had a chance but their finishing, just as it had been in the first leg, was woeful. Vaidotas Slekys, the best FC Vaduz over the two legs, did well in the middle of the park and in their isolated attacks caused a few concerning moments for the Livingston defence.

As the game progressed, the Vaduz players tired to the extent that for long stages, their midfield was forced deeper and deeper as Livingston camped on the edge of their area. A sure sign that things were getting desperate was when Leishman's side started going for long-range efforts rather than trying to play the ball into feet.

Indeed, out of all of their players, only Francisco Quino in the middle of the park looked inventive enough to break down the opposition.

More space opened up for Livingston with 15 minutes left after Martin Tesler was correctly given his marching orders after he received his second yellow card after a dreadful tackle on David Bingham.

Indeed, with 10 minutes left, Barry Wilson should have settled the Livingston nerves when he missed a guilt-edged opportunity to give his side the lead.

That seemed to be enough for Martin O'Neill, the Celtic coach, who was on a scouting mission to watch Livingston, his side's opponents on Sunday and who left immediately after the miss.

After that, even with 10 men, FC Vaduz battled hard and managed, incredibly, to pin Livingston back. On the strength of what was nothing better than an inept showing by the home side, the bigger fish in European football who await the ''minnows' of Scotland will hardly be quaking in their size nines.

Livingston (4-3-3) Broto; Brinquin, Andrews, Rubio, Bahoken; Toure-Maman (Makel 56 mins) , Lovell, Quino; Bingham (Dadi 80), Zarate, Camacho (Wilson 60). Subs: McEwan, Dadi, Xausa,Makel, Wilson, Dorado, Bollan Booked Quino, Brinquin

FC Vaduz (3-5-2) Peiser; Niederhauser, Martin Stocklasa, Brugnoli; Tesler, Perez, Zarn, Slekys, Merenda (Buechel 63); Burgmeier (Beck 56), Obhafuosa (Polverino, 80). Subs: Silva, Walz, Buechel, Polverino, Beck, Michael Stocklasa, Ritter Booked Slekys, Obhafuosa Sent off Tesler

Referee Ivan Novak (Croatia)

Attendance 7219