Motherwell 2-2 Livingston: Visitors equalise twice to grab first point of season
Highlights and report: Motherwell and Livingston off the mark in the Scottish Premiership
Wednesday 12 August 2020 23:48, UK
Alan Forrest netted his first goal for Livingston to earn a 2-2 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park.
David Turnbull and Allan Campbell both put Motherwell in front in the first half either side of a Lyndon Dykes penalty following a Ricki Lamie handball.
The home side had chances to extend their lead but Livingston were rewarded for their enterprise when Forrest scored from close range in the 69th minute. It was a first Scottish Premiership point of the season for both sides.
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson handed Jordan White his first start and moved Christopher Long out right to the place vacated by the dropped Jake Hastie.
Livingston manager Gary Holt had threatened major changes following their 4-1 home defeat by Hibernian but he restricted them to two as Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Forrest replaced Nicky Devlin and Efe Ambrose.
Motherwell survived an early scare when Campbell blocked well from Craig Sibbald and Turnbull netted their first goal of the season in the eighth minute.
The midfielder took a smart touch after receiving the ball from Sherwin Seedorf on the 18-yard line, and fired into the bottom corner for his first goal since undergoing knee surgery.
The lead only lasted two minutes. Former Livi defender Lamie was penalised for a handball as he jumped with Dykes and the striker drilled his spot-kick down the middle.
The visitors lost Ciaron Brown to injury as Ambrose came on but they were in the ascendancy after their equaliser.
They claimed for another penalty for a Bevis Mugabi pull on Dykes and got plenty of men and balls forward. Forrest almost set up Scott Robinson with great wing play and Dykes stabbed straight at Trevor Carson after holding off Declan Gallagher.
However, Motherwell regained the lead in the 35th minute after Long drove towards goal and the ball broke kindly for Campbell, who fired just inside the far post.
Livi came close to an equaliser before the break when Sibbald's shot was deflected just wide after an intricate passing move.
The hosts had a penalty let-off when Lamie sent Forrest sprawling, getting enough of the ball to satisfy referee Colin Steven.
Carson saved from Sibbald after a corner found the midfielder 20 yards out but Motherwell were threatening to put the game out of reach. White and Mugabi came close from Turnbull deliveries and Jon Guthrie cleared off the line after Seedorf had lobbed Robby McCrorie following a long ball.
The visitors levelled again though. Sibbald drove the ball into the goalmouth after a one-two with Scott Pittman and Carson could only palm it into the path of Forrest, who tapped home.
The visitors were soon on the attack again and Dykes outmuscled Mugabi and collected a return pass from Pittman but Carson got down to save .
Both sides went for the winner but neither could fashion a clear chance in the final stages.
What the managers said...
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson: I have cajoled players, been patient with players over pre-season, allowing people to get fit after the long break but they have been told in no uncertain terms that we are carrying some of them. We are playing with seven men every week and that won't keep happening.
"Some of the aspects I saw, I simply won't settle for it. This football club has been very good to a lot people, rescued people's careers, given them a platform. Listen to agents now and they get their heads filled with absolute rubbish. They need to do it here first and foremost before anyone leaves this football club. I'm expecting a big reaction on Saturday.
"People can't be in the team every single week, we have got a very good squad. When I see reactions like I did when people aren't in the team then I won't have that. This club needs a lot more respect than that.
Livingston boss Gary Holt: "We showed the spirit that's synonymous with us as a club. We talked after Saturday's game and the Saturday before about taking the game by the scruff, not waiting for your team-mate to do it.
"You saw them in the dressing room, they were knackered, they were bust, and that's what we want. I thought we probably deserved to win. I was delighted with their work-rate, their tenacity and self-belief to come back twice."
What's next?
Motherwell now go to Hibernian at 5.30 pm on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football, while Livingston host Rangers on Sunday at 4.30pm, also live on Sky Sports Football.
