Livingston vs Aberdeen. Scottish Premiership.
Tony Macaroni ArenaAttendance2,598.
Match report as Sean Kelly converts first spot-kick to double Livingston's lead after Jack Fitzwater's early opener; Shamal George saves Bojan Miovski's spot-kick in first-half stoppage-time before being beaten by Luis Lopes from 12 yards but hosts hold on
Wednesday 9 November 2022 06:10, UK
Three penalties were awarded for handball following VAR reviews as Livingston beat Aberdeen 2-1 to move level on points with their third-placed opponents in the Scottish Premiership.
Referee Nick Walsh played on each time but was called to the monitor by video assistant referee Andrew Dallas, twice when there did not appear to be any appeals.
Sean Kelly converted the first spot-kick in the 17th minute to double the lead after Jack Fitzwater's early opener.
Shamal George saved Bojan Miovski's penalty in first-half stoppage-time before being beaten by Luis 'Duk' Lopes from 12 yards in the 58th minute.
Livingston held on despite some scares to claim a victory that was built on a dominant opening quarter when Joel Nouble and Dylan Bahamboula in particular caused Aberdeen numerous problems.
The hosts took the lead in the sixth minute. Fitzwater turned and fired through a crowded goalmouth after Kelly's corner bounced into the near-post area and eventually fell for the defender, who was sent off in Livi's 5-0 defeat at Pittodrie in August.
The goalscorer's central defensive partner, Ayo Obileye, soon threatened with an excellent free-kick that was pushed past a post by Kelle Roos after Ross McCrorie had been booked for pulling back Nouble.
Fitzwater and Bahamboula threatened from a series of Livi corners which ultimately led to the first penalty, although only after Nicky Devlin had been booked for foiling a Dons counter-attack for a rugby tackle on Duk.
The Dons were in the process of taking the set-piece when Walsh was called to the monitor. The result was a penalty against Connor Barron and Kelly converted after Devlin attempted to get clarity on whether his yellow card still stood.
The visitors found their attacking flow and created a string of chances. Duk shot wide after sprinting in between the Livi defence and George following Anthony Stewart's long ball, Miovski had a header tipped over, Jack MacKenzie's shot was diverted off the outside of a post and McCrorie had a header saved.
The visitors appealed for a penalty when Obileye barged Duk to the ground but Walsh played on and there was no delay.
Aberdeen came closer when Leighton Clarkson sent a brilliant first-time volley off the bar before George saved Miovski's follow-up header.
Roos was taking a goal-kick at the other end when Walsh was called to the monitor to check for another handball. The referee awarded the Dons a penalty and booked Jason Holt for apparently attempting to block Clarkson's volley. However, George made a double save from Miovski.
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin brought on winger Matty Kennedy for centre-back McCrorie and moved to a back four for the second half.
The Dons pushed forward and got a lifeline when Fitzwater was ultimately penalised after blocking a header from Miovski, who had appealed for handball along with the visiting fans. George almost saved this penalty too but Duk's strike had enough power to beat the goalkeeper.
Aberdeen had several chances to equalise. Scales saw a header saved and Kennedy set up Duk three times. The former Benfica forward headed just wide, had a shot cleared off the line by Obileye and fired over from 16 yards.
Livingston boss David Martindale: "I think out of the three penalties I never claimed for one, so your heart is in your mouth with VAR when you are allowing balls into your box.
"I thought our shape, tactics, the players, were great but I thought the plastic park was magnificent."
Martindale, who felt George was the difference between the teams and admitted his team might have "stolen" two points, added: "I think it's a decent surface.
"Some teams' natural parks are not great from February, March onwards. When we get beat away from home I don't decry the natural parks. You have just got to deal with it."
Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin: "The two penalties in the first half, I can't remember any player claiming for anything in either box. I think we were all a little bit surprised.
"Look, VAR will add a bit of entertainment, that's for sure. We have had a few in our favour. You could argue one went against us but I am not going to sit here and complain about it. It's part and parcel of VAR.
"I just think we all need to accept that's the way it's going to go. It's difficult for defenders in the box, you've got to probably wrap your arms around your back and hope for the best. I don't think there was a great deal of controversy in any of the penalties."
Livingston have one fixture remaining before the Scottish Premiership pauses for the World Cup - a trip to Hearts on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.
Aberdeen also have just one game to play before the tournament in Qatar, with Dundee United visiting Pittodrie on Saturday - kick-off at 6pm.
