Bloodied Keaghan Jacobs keeps his head to land winner for Livingston

Livi were left shocked after manager John Hughes left the club on Tuesday to take over at Hartlepool, but caretaker boss Gareth Evans saw Marc McNulty and Jacobs find the net to seal the win, despite a late consolation from Falkirk’s Conor McGrandles.

The result left the Lions unbeaten in six league matches as they limber up for a trip to league leaders Partick Thistle next week.

Jacobs said: “It was a great win and it was good to keep our wee run going and get a victory.

“I’m fine now, thankfully, and it’s always pleasing to get on the score sheet. Hopefully there will be many more goals to come in the rest of the season and I’ll just need to keep it up.

“It’s been a very hard week with the manager leaving. We knew he is a good manager and other teams would be sniffing about him, but we’re just disappointed to lose him.

“Now next week’s a big game for us. As I’ve said, we’ve got a good run going and hopefully we’ll take it into the game. The boys are full of confidence.”

Livi were well on top in the opening 45 minutes, with McNulty twice testing Falkirk keeper Michael McGovern and Stefan Scougall firing just wide.

The home side took a deserved lead in 23 minutes when Scougall fed McNulty in the box and the striker kept a level head to tuck the ball away into the bottom corner.

A collision in the centre circle then left Jacobs needing treatment, but Livi held out for the break and doubled their lead on 65 minutes.

McNulty fed Tony Andreu, and when the Frenchman’s shot fell to Jacobs – now donning a white head bandage – and he finished from six yards.

McNulty could have made it three but was denied by a great McGovern save, before a late corner for Falkirk saw  McGrandles bundle home at the back post.

Then Andreu sent a shot thundering wide after bursting into the box, but Livi settled for success by one goal.