LIVINGSTON manager Mark Proctor was today starting planning for next season after his team secured their First-Division status with a 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle at Almondvale.
With just one game to go, at St Johnstone on Saturday, the Lions are five points above the drop zone and comprehensively defeated the Jags, who looked jaded.
Liam Fox scored the decisive goal after 30 minutes when his shot took a deflection off Ga
ry Harkins and looped over Jon Tuffey in the Partick goal.
There was a touch of fortune but it was thoroughly deserved as Tuffey went of to pull off a string of good saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
However, Simon Donnelly was left holding his head in his hands when Lions keeper Colin Stewart pulled off a fine fingertip save to deny him in the second half.
Proctor said: "It was a big day for us and we fully deserved it. We spoke about managing the 90 minutes and concentrating and I think the man of the match was their keeper.
"Foxy was good and Murray Davidson is emerging as a quality player, he is only 19 and he has had a lot of growth and development issues – he is 6ft 1in, but he has got the physicality to deal with the league and he excites me for next season, it was a really professional performance.
"It's been difficult since the turn of the year, but we have blooded three 17-year-olds and they shall be better for that experience.
"Leigh Griffiths, Cammy MacDonald and Bugsy (Chris Malone] have all taken their chance after being asked to step up."
The full article contains 282 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
