First Division: Livingston target SPL return in three years

LIVINGSTON are to announce new investment today with the aim of returning to the Premier League, and profitability, within three years.

The Almondvale club are still unsure of their place in the First Division next season after a 3-1 defeat to Hamilton which leaves them requiring a point from their final two matches to be certain of avoiding the relegation play-off place.

For Hamilton, the result means they can clinch the First Division title with a win over Clyde at New Douglas Park next weekend. Manager Billy Reid is confident his young side will now see out the title race.

"These guys have grown in stature every week and I hope and believe they can handle the occasion but I am taking nothing for granted," said Reid.

Twenty-goal striker Richard Offiong made the breakthrough in 24 minutes, taking a pass from Alex Neil and dispatching a shot past Colin Stewart with the aid of a deflection. Livingston almost hit back instantly with Young Player of the Month Leigh Griffiths rocketing the ball off the underside of the bar but Hamilton's gifted youngster James McArthur made it two before the break after clever work by Simon Mensing and Offiong.

It was Mensing who tied everything up just after the restart when he drilled home, with Dave MacKay scoring a late penalty for Livingston.

Clyde were Reid's previous employers, and the Hamilton manager recognised the irony of next week's vital match. "Everyone knows there is a bit of history between Clyde and us and they are fighting for their lives," he said.

Livingston manager Mark Proctor was pragmatic about his own side's predicament. "We're five points clear just now and need just a point from two games," he said. "If we don't get it we probably deserve to be in them."

Clyde missed out on the chance to avoid the play-offs when they went down 2-1 at Dunfermline despite taking the lead just before half-time through Pat Clarke.

The match turned three minutes into the second period when Dunfermline were awarded a penalty that Stephen Glass converted for a Billy Gibson challenge on Stevie Crawford. Dunfermline player-manager Jim McIntyre then grabbed the winner, but Clyde manager John Brown believed the penalty award was crucial. "It was never a penalty as it was not a foul and it was outside of the box anyway," he said.

McIntyre had a different perspective. "It was a definite penalty, I was right behind it," he said.

Second-placed Dundee kept the pressure on Hamilton after overcoming their own anxieties at home to relegated Stirling Albion. After a goalless first half, Gary McKenzie netted a header from a Freddie Daquin corner 12 minutes after the break and Gavin Swankie volleyed in a fine goal two minutes later to placate the fans. Substitute Scott Robertson added a third in injury time.

"The lads showed tremendous character to win with the pressure being on. It's all about results just now," said Alex Rae, the Dundee manager.

Stirling manager Allan Moore said ruefully: "There was a lot on show to encourage us."

St Johnstone go into next Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final on the back of a 3-2 victory over Morton who are still stuck in the relegation play-off spot. An Andrew Jackson double had St Johnstone cruising at half-time but Brian Wake and an Iain Russell penalty levelled matters before Kevin James headed the Perth side's winner.

"The quality of our goals was terrific and this helps set us up for next week," said manager Derek McInnes, while Morton counterpart Davie Irons is hopeful for the visit of Dunfermline next week. "The spirit is still there to avoid the play-offs," he said.