Stenhousemuir 0 - 3 Livingston: Livingston crowned champions

Published on Friday 8 April 2011 12:35

Stenhousemuir 0 Livingston 3 Jacobs 35; Fox 58; Sinclair 90

LIVINGSTON clinched the Second Division title at the first time of asking as they easily saw off the challenge of Stenhousemuir, while nearest challengers, Brechin, went down at home to East Fife. The convincing ease with which Gary Bollan's Lions sealed automatic promotion is reflected in their being the first team in British football to win their league, all achieved despite being the team the rest wanted to beat, and, at times, gripe about.

Speaking after the final whistle, Bollan paid tribute to his players: "Managers don't win leagues, it is all down to the players as they have been magnificent. I am really proud of the team, and we were very professional today.

"Obviously we needed favours today and luckily we got them, but everything went well for us. Today was half a celebration and there is a very big one to come."

Yesterday's victory sealed back-to-back promotions for Livingston who were relegated from the First to the Third Division two years ago after going into administration. They are now back where they believe they belong.

In contrast Davie Irons knows his Warriors face five games to stave off the threat of relegation.

He said: "Our next five games are massive, starting midweek as we need to get closer to Alloa. Today was always going to be tough.

"All credit, however, to Livingston as I have been there in a previous career with Gretna when as the full-time team everyone wants to beat you. They are the best team and thoroughly deserve it."

• Saturday's football in pictures

For the opening 20 minutes of the game Livingston looked like a team riddled with nerves as they allowed their hosts to have the better of the ball. Only a series of well-timed challenges prevented Irons' men from getting a clear sight of the visitors' goal amidst a flurry of dangerous crosses and probing midfield passes.

Having weathered their sticky start, the title-chasers settled down and started to turn the screw with Raffaele De Vita, Iain Russell and Liam Fox all going close.

Backed by a sizeable travelling support, Livi got their breakthrough ten minutes before the break, Keeghan Jacobs applying the killer touch inside a crowded penalty area, even though it had more than strong hint of offside about it.

With results elsewhere going their way, Livi wasted little time in getting back on the front foot after the restart, and doubled their lead before the hour mark, Liam Fox timing his run to perfection, allowing him to take an assured touch before steering his finish low past Chris McCluskey.This was after referee John Beaton had decided to allow McCluskey to stay on the park after he had hauled down De Vita as he charged in on goal.

By now it was all about whether Brechin could mount a fightback to put the champagne back on ice as Stenny were offering next to nothing going forward.

Livi, by this time, were happy to sit on their two-goal lead and comfortably keep possession as the clock ran down.

Only a treble introduction from the bench sparked renewed vigour in the soon-to-be champs. Indeed it was Robbie Winters feeding fellow sub, David Sinclair, for the icing-on-the-cake third as the midfielder fired home from 12 yards.