Bollan thrilled as Lions stop the rot in Kirkcaldy

Livingston manager Gary Bollan saw his side pick up their first league win in three weeks at Stark’s Park on Saturday after a Criag Barr header on 56 minutes was enough to see the Lions overcome Raith Rovers.

Bollan watched his side dominate the second half after a tight first period, and, coming off the back of defeats to Partick Thistle and Ross County, he was delighted with the improvement in the performance of his players in the 1-0 win.

He said: “I thought we merited the 1-0 victory. It was a tight game but I think over the piece we merited the three points.

“The way the game panned out we began to hit them on the counter that wee bit quicker in the second half, and we had more bodies getting forward. In the middle of the park we passed the ball better than we have done in recent weeks, too.

“I thought my back four were outstanding as well. We kept things tight when we had to and players were throwing themselves in front of the ball to get the result.”

Livi looked the more composed in the opening stages, holding possession well without ever threatening the Raith goal, and as the home side worked their way back into the game Jamie Walker and then Dennis Prychynenko threatened Andy McNeil’s goal with long-range efforts.

Livi responded, with Craig Barr heading a Mark Fotheringham corner over and Marc McNulty having his shot well held by David McGurn at the near post.

The Lions grabbed control of the game after the break, and ten minutes into the second half they took the lead. A Fotheringham corner was flicked on at the near post, and Barr was on hand to direct the ball beyond McGurn. Despite having plenty possession, Raith seemed lethargic going forward, and the visitors looked increasingly dangerous on the break. Jason Talbot and Kyle Jacobs both had efforts well repelled by McGurn before the home keeper foiled Bobby Barr after he had run the length of the pitch to create a shooting opportunity.

It wasn’t until the last minute that Rovers manufactured a good chance for an equaliser, but Dougie Hill headed wide at the back post.

Then in the second minute of stoppage time the ball fell to Brian Graham in the box, but he scuffed his effort wide of the left hand post as Livi held on for a deserved three points.