First Division: Wait is worth it for Hegarty as Livingston whip County

Published on Sunday 14 December 2008 22:54

PAUL Hegarty had to wait an extra week to take his bow as the Livingston manager and the wait was certainly worth it with his new club travelling to Ross County and recording an emphatic 4-1 win to lift the Almondvale side over the Dingwall club in the league table.

With Leigh Griffiths looking lively, Murray Davidson gave the visitors a lead in 34 minutes when he knocked home from close range. County struck back when Mark McCulloch scored on the stroke of half-time. However, the second half belonged to Livingston.

Griffiths set up Calum Elliot for Livi's second just after the break and then got a goal himself after a defensive mix up and on-loan Celtic midfielder Rocco Quinn netted from distance in injury time. Hegarty said: "We came out all guns blazing in the second (half] and I am delighted with our performance. We were clinical with our finishing and the boy Griffiths has got potential."

Hegarty added: "We will keep his feet on the ground and I am sure he will contribute more often. He deserved his man of the match today."

League leaders St Johnstone got back to winning ways after three draws in a row with a 1-0 win over Morton. Kevin Rutkiewicz nodded in a Liam Craig corner two minutes from time at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes said: "We did not play at the high standard I was expecting but I suppose I will have to content myself with the three points."

Dunfermline kept on St Johnstone's tail with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Queen of the South.

Nicky Phinn opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Gordon Chisholm's men levelled 15 minutes later through Jamie McQuilken.

Dunfermline grabbed a controversial winner three minutes from the end when Graham Bayne poked the ball home after a corner.

Chisholm said: "It should not have been a goal, our goalkeeper Cameron Bell and a defender were fouled as the ball came over."

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre said: "I thought we deserved it.

There was nothing wrong with the winning goal."

Dundee's resurgence under Jocky Scott came to a halt as they went down 1-0 at Clyde with substitute John Gemmill setting up Willie McLaren just seconds after coming on in 65 minutes.

Gemmill's contribution was brief as he was sent off three minutes later after picking up two yellow cards. Dundee debutant Darren Young was also red carded.

A disappointed Scott said: "We are not clinical enough in front of goal. If you are on top in a game you need to take your chances and we did not."

A Gary Harkins strike and an own goal by Paul McLaughlin allowed Partick Thistle to recover from the loss of a 14th minute Simon Lynch strike to win 2-1 over Airdrie United at Firhill.