First Division: Managerless Lions the only side to taste victory as stalemates reign

Published on Monday 13 February 2012 01:59

Livingston ended a difficult week, following the decision to part company with manager Gary Bollan, in the most positive fashion by being the only team in the division to record a win at the weekend when they defeated Partick Thistle 3-1.

Head of youth Brian Welsh, who is off to start a new life coaching in America this week, was in caretaker charge for the first and only time as the Lions recorded their first home success in three months. He can head Stateside with a spring in his step after goals from his home-grown kids won the game, with Marc McNulty opening the scoring eight minutes from half time when he tucked home a rebound.

Paul Watson doubled the lead with 40 seconds of the second half gone when he headed home from a corner. And it was game over shortly afterwards, when Kyle Jacobs fired home a crisp shot via a post, with Paul Cairney scoring a late consolation goal for the Glasgow side.

Welsh said: “As everyone knows, I am not interested in being a football manager and the result today does not change that. I am off to America this week with my family, but whoever comes in will find some excellent players who will do a good job for them.”

Thistle manager Jackie McNamara was upset about his side’s performance, saying: “I am very disappointed and also very angry as there was a real lack of fight about us.

“I told the players at half-time to stand up and be counted and we lost a goal within a minute. No-one grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after that and that has upset me.”

Leaders Ross County extended their unbeaten run to 18 games. However, they were denied a win by a last-minute Jamie Walker goal in their 1-1 draw with hosts Raith Rovers.

The Dingwall men went ahead on 53 minutes when Steven Craig scored from a Marc Corcoran cut-back.

However, on-loan Hearts youngster Walker exchanged passes with fellow substitute Brian Graham to shoot home a late Rovers leveller.

County manager Derek Adams had mixed emotions afterwards. “You are always disappointed to lose a late goal, but I am delighted that our unbeaten run is intact,” he said.

Second-placed Falkirk were also held to a draw as Morton bounced back from their six-goal mauling at Motherwell in the Scottish Cup to play out a goalless draw at Cappielow. It could have been even better for the Greenock men had Bairns goalkeeper Michael McGovern not saved a Peter MacDonald penalty four minutes into the second half.

Dundee and Hamilton also ended all square at Dens Park, with Andy Ryan scoring a late leveller for the visitors in a 2-2 draw. Hamilton were in front at half-time through Jon McShane’s. But the Dark Blues turned it round through Ryan Conroy’s free kick and Stevie Milne’s penalty before Ryan struck.

It is a case of as-you-were at the foot of the table with Ayr United and Queen of the South drawing 1-1 at Somerset Park. Scott McLaughlin fired the Doonhamers in front with 15 minutes to go before home substitute Michael Moffat guided home a pass from Marc Roberts to restore parity.