Raith Rovers 0-0 Livingston: Raith and Lions share points in pulsating match

Published on 26/08/2012 02:36

Livingston manager John Hughes insists his desire to see football being played the right way is so strong that he can accept his players making costly mistakes.

The Lions picked up a point and ended Raith’s five-game winning run in a pulsating goal-less draw at Stark’s Park. Both teams were guilty of profligate finishing, with the Lions failing to turn their first half dominance into anything tangible.

“Obviously you’re judged on results but myself and John Collins [Livingston director of football] have a great philosophy and a great belief that you have to play football properly,” said former Hibs manager Hughes.

“I don’t think you saw our goalkeeper kick it long. Even at the end there, we had a short free-kick and we want to play it but we make a mistake. It could have cost us, so what? Seriously, what do you want to do, hoof it 50 yards up the park? Welcome to Scottish football.

“Be a footballer, get paid, go and play and have great belief, even if you make mistake. That’s what football is all about for me.”

Livingston made a lively start to the match but were up against inspired goalkeeping from David McGurn. The shot-stopper produced a great reflex save when Stefan Scougall’s 18-yard drive deflected off Lions marksman Marc McNulty. McGurn was called upon again to palm Iain Russell’s curling effort round his post at full-stretch.

Raith rallied after the break. But Greig Spence, seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute, could only direct a tame shot straight at Andy McNeil after a Callum Fordyce error.

Rovers boss Grant Murray said: “The boys in there are disappointed. You are never going to dominate a game for 90 minutes although in the end we had a lot of chances.”