Livingston 2-4 Partick Thistle

Published on Saturday 28 February 2009 18:55

Livingston Griffiths 52, 73 Partick Thistle Harkins 18 pen, 90; Paton 34; Rowson 47

IT'S anyone's guess who Livingston chairman Angelo Massone will blame for this defeat after Partick Thistle enhanced their title aspirations by condemning the hosts to their fourth successive loss.

Instead of explaining to the supporters why the players were yet again not paid their wages on time, the Italian, in a statement issued prior to kick-off, pointed the finger to the media for adding to their woes.

Whatever the behind-the-scenes problems in depositing wages, yesterday's performance was proof that they need eradicating quickly.

Livingston took to the pitch with the incentive of knowing they would move to within one point of second-placed Thistle if they won, but the game was effectively over by the 47th minute despite Leigh Griffith's second-half brace.

Gary Harkins opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute from the penalty spot after Mark Torrance felled Liam Buchanan in the area.

Jags right-back Paul Paton doubled the visitors' lead in the 34th minute with a shot that found the net with the aid of a deflection that lifted the ball over Roddy McKenzie.

Livingston's plight worsened two minutes after the restart when David Rowson struck a sweet shot from the edge of the area that sailed past McKenzie en route to the top corner.

Griffiths gave the hosts hope of making a memorable comeback with goals in the 52nd and 73rd minute, but Harkins notched a fourth in injury time with a superb free-kick.