Jacobs just can’t enjoy his cracker

Published on Monday 7 November 2011 11:57

KEAGHAN Jacobs scored an early contender for goal of the season at Falkirk on Saturday, but the Livingston midfielder insists he was gutted as Steven Pressley’s men stole a late winner after the Lions had fought back from 3-0 down.

Goals from Farid El Alagui, Murray Wallace and a Jonathan Brown own goal had given the Bairns the half-time advantage, but Bobby Barr, Jacobs and then Mark Fotheringham dramatically pulled Livi level, only for David Weatherston to win it with five minutes to go.

Jacobs said: “Bobby Barr picked the ball up and I saw a break on. He’s played a great ball and once I got past the defender I was only ever going to shoot, and luckily for me it has dipped at the last minute and gone in.

“More importantly, the team dug really deep to come back to 3-3. We’re all devastated to lose. We started well but after we lost the first goal we seemed to collapse.”

Falkirk took the lead when a speculative lob was played over the top of the Livi defence, and with both Paul Watson and keeper Andy McNeil hesitating to clear, El Alagui clipped the ball into the bottom corner.

The misery was compounded for the Lions minutes later. A Falkirk corner wasn’t cleared and the ball eventually fell to Wallace, who drilled a low shot through a crowded six-yard box that Jonathan Brown could only help on its way.

The Livi defence was looking visibly shaken, and conceded a third goal when Weatherston’s cross was fluffed, but as McNeil looked set to pounce on the loose ball, Brown slid in to turn the ball into his own net.

The game looked lost for the Lions at half-time, and manager Gary Bollan brought on striker Rory Boulding for Brown to go three up front.

Livi were given early hope when Bobby Barr picked up a loose ball before twisting and turning past three Falkirk defenders to slot home into the bottom corner. He then broke quickly from a Falkirk free-kick and fed Jacobs, who surged into the Falkirk half before cutting inside and unleashing a vicious 25-yard drive that flew into the net.

Livi dared to believe, and yellow shirts flew forward from all areas in a bid to grab an equaliser. They drew level with ten minutes to go when Fotheringham’s free-kick dipped under the crossbar to stun the home crowd.

Paul Watson and Kenny Deuchar both came close to grabbing a fourth, but with five minutes left Weatherston broke into space before firing low under McNeil.

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