First Division: Tena the hero as Livingston overcome title chasers Pars

THERE may have only been two games in the First Division at the weekend, but there was no shortage of drama as Livingston defeated second-placed Dunfermline 2-1, with Raith Rovers and Morton sharing six goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The Braidwood Motor Company Stadium game came alive on 19 minutes when the visitors’ Callum Morris received a straight red card for a foul on Stefan Scougall as the Livi forward darted towards goal.

Liam Fox hit the bar with the resultant free kick and Marc McNulty also struck wood before half time with the goal gaping.

There was controversy five minutes after the break when referee John Beaton denied the ten men a penalty after Craig Dargo went down with Kyle Jacobs in close attendance. The striker earned a yellow card for simulation.

Jesus Garcia Tena then became a hero as he first kicked a netbound Dargo effort off the line before opening the scoring with a fierce drive from 30 yards on 65 minutes.

A second goal came as the game drew to a close when substitute Danny Mullen converted a McNulty pass and Dunfermline were finally awarded a penalty in injury time when Craig Barr pulled down Ryan Wallace.

Andrew Barrowman slotted home from 12 yards after Barr had been dismissed.

Livi’s head coach Gareth Evans said: “We had to be patient, but we should have been ahead by half time. It was a bit of a relief when the first goal went in.”

Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies fumed: “I do not understand the decision with Craig Dargo. If he stays on his feet he scores so why would he go down.”

Idle leaders Partick Thistle were given another boost as third-placed Morton were held by Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park and it could have been worse for the Greenock side had Martin Hardie not headed in a leveller with two minutes to go.

Morton took the lead after just eight minutes when Kevin Rutkiewicz was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet a corner and guided his header from six yards past 20-year-old goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.

However, Raith – who welcomed back their captain, Allan Walker, following a two-match suspension – levelled the scores through former Cappielow striker Brian Graham 15 minutes later.

Hardie had a penalty saved by Ross Laidlaw before half-time, but Morton edged in front on 65 minutes when David O’Brien chipped Laidlaw.

Graham levelled things quickly again with substitute Greig Spence putting Raith in front with five minutes left. However, the win slipped away when Hardie redeemed himself.