Livingston 0-1 Aberdeen: Nicky Devlin's late goal earns Dons Scottish Premiership win at Livi
Report as Aberdeen win 1-0 at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership; Nicky Devlin scored the late winner to propel the Dons within touching distance of the Premiership's top six; the win lifts Jimmy Thelin's side within three points of sixth-placed Falkirk with a game in hand
Sunday 30 November 2025 20:43, UK
Nicky Devlin scored a late winner for Aberdeen against his former club Livingston to propel the Dons within touching distance of the Premiership's top six.
The visitors had been second-best for long spells but the wing-back grabbed the only goal of a hard-fought contest with a well-taken 80th-minute header.
The victory - a fifth from seven league outings - lifts Jimmy Thelin's side within three points of sixth-placed Falkirk with a game in hand.
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Livingston were left to rue not making their first-half pressure count after keeping Aberdeen camped deep in their own half.
The Lions remain rooted to the foot of the table, two points adrift of St Mirren.
The hosts were keen to take advantage of any lethargy felt by Aberdeen following their midweek Conference League draw at home to Armenian side Noah.
David Martindale's side were quick out of the blocks and forward Steve May was first to threaten with a shot across goal before Mo Susoho stung the palms of Dimitar Mitov in the 15th minute.
The Lions then pounced on a poor kick-out by the Dons keeper but he redeemed himself by keeping Susoho's effort out from close range after the on-loan Manchester City midfielder collected Tete Yengi's pass.
Aberdeen were unable to keep the ball for any sustained period and had to rely on counter-attacks in their bid to cause any problems.
On one occasion, Jesper Karlsson cut along the edge of the box before getting a right-footed shot away and Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior was relieved to see the deflected shot drift just wide.
Livingston were presented with another chance to test Mitov on the half-hour mark when Yengi was brought down just outside the box.
May's free-kick squeezed through the wall but Mitov got a strong hand to the effort down to his left.
There was a glimmer of hope for the visitors before the break when Karlsson sliced a shot wide before Adil Aouchiche fired over.
But that was not enough to satisfy the travelling fans and Aberdeen were booed off at the break.
The Pittodrie outfit were more competitive in the second half but it was Livingston who still looked threatening.
Mitov parried Yengi's awkward low drive from outside the box before the visitors cleared the danger.
Defender Jack Milne was a relieved man moments later after he came within inches of scoring an own goal in chesting Sammy Lawal's teasing cross out for a corner.
Aberdeen boss Thelin made five changes in the second half and those substitutions made the difference.
Just moments after coming on, Nicolas Milanovic forced a fine save from Prior.
And it was another of those arrivals that played his part in Aberdeen taking the lead with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Topi Keskinen picked out the unmarked Devlin at the back post and the wing-back sent a looping header back across goal and into the net.
After a lengthy VAR stoppage to check for offside the goal was finally given and Aberdeen held on to claim the win.
Thelin hails Aberdeen's 'character'
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin:
"In the first half Livingston were really good and played with a lot of movement and made it really difficult.
"Livingston did a lot of good things and did really well and created good chances.
"Dimitar [Mitov] made some good saves to help us stay in the game.
"It was important we didn't get too stressed in that moment.
"We stayed in the game and in the second half we were more stable and balanced.
"When we got our rhythm and made some subs they had more impact on the game.
"They came with a lot of energy and that helped us take the three points.
"It was a difficult game. Livingston played really well but this mentality, we're building slowly and the team is coming together."
Thelin, whose team were in Conference League action against Armenian side Noah on Thursday night, added: "It's not always the best game but we still won and we have to keep improving.
"You have to remember we had a tough start in the league and we are in Europe and have a game every three days.
"It's to get through this period with as many points as possible and share the responsibility as a team and try to make changes but not too many that we lose connections.
"The players did well. We had a tough game on Thursday then came here and the game starts like it did.
"It shows a lot about the character."
Livingston boss David Martindale:
"I'm under no illusions. We're bottom of the table and that falls on me. Is it Groundhog Day? 100 per cent, but I can't keep saying that can I?
"We had a lot of control, a lot of good box entries and good play.
"I'm not going to name players, but it's one poor decision in a wide area and a man not doing his job in the box - when he was designated the scorer - and switches off and walks outside the box.
"I find it difficult to critique it too much rather than that one moment which leads us to sitting with no points again."
