LIVINGSTON captain James McPake believes the absence of strikers Calum Elliot and Leigh Griffiths was the defining factor in the 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.
Elliott, on loan from Hearts, was suspended while Griffiths is on Scotland Under-19 duty in Hungary. Teenager Gordon Smith deputised as a lone striker in what was his full debut for Livingston, but he was given very little opportunity in front of goa
l as the home side toiled to create any chances.
Steven Milne's delightful goal after 31 minutes settled the result, but the Lions could have snatched a draw had Smith not headed over the bar from six yards out in the second half following a pinpoint cross from Rocco Quinn. It would be harsh to judge the 17-year-old on this performance alone, however, and McPake agreed.
He said: "We did not create many chances and I thought Gordon did well in what was his first game, but we didn't really create anything for him apart from the one chance. We missed Calum Elliot and wee Sparky and I think it would have been a different game if we had had the two of them. St Johnstone did not create many chances either."
McPake says it is vital that Livingston regroup and try to find the form which took them to the top of the league before two losses.
He added: "We had a great start and we need to get back playing like we were a few weeks ago."
The full article contains 260 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
