Managers post Livingston

Link to audio files of both managers` post match comments

Allan Johnston was delighted that the three points taken from the 1-0 win over Livingston came as a result of a good team performance:-

"I thought the boys gave everything. Obviously you have to match their attitude because it has s fantastic, they are really physical and I thought that we did that. We played some decent football as well. Sometimes on the counterattack we looked as though we could maybe have punished them.

"It was a really good performance, even the boys who came on as subs gave everything. You couldn`t really ask for much more, it was a big performance, a big result and sets us up for the weekend."

Rain fell for the entire game and got really heavy at times. The sodden pitch got muddier and muddier and the conditions were not conducive to free flowing silky football. The manager described the games as "an old school game, no holds barred and both teams going for it."

"There were a lot of physical challenges and sometimes the referee made it more difficult than it had to be at times if I am being honest, with some of the decisions. But it is great to come out on top and hopefully now we can build on that again."

Nicky Clark had gained all the plaudits in recent games but Lee Ashcroft was the hero with the winning goal and numerous defensive interventions that kept the second placed team in the league at bay.

"Big Ashy was everywhere and it was a great goal as well. We have said that defenders need to chip in with goals and he has taken it really well. It was like a striker`s finish. He was everywhere even in the last minute of the game with the ball over the top, big Ashy is round covering.

"It was a really good performance, we matched them physically, we defended really well because they make you defend because they have a lot of good players, they are a good team and you can see why they have been so consistent this year, they are hard to play against but the boys performances individually and collectively will mean that there will be a few tired legs tomorrow."

The match ended in controversy after a Livingston penalty appeal in the third minute of added time. Ryan Hardie was running into the box but with Callum Morris to his left and Lee Ashcroft to his right the striker fell to the ground. David Hopkin would said that the referee "bottled" his decision but AJ described how he saw it differently:-

"I thought Big Ashy got back round. I thought we had a lot of good chances, Alexander has had a great save from Nicky (Clark), Decy (McManus) was through one v one, Tom Beadling hit the post so overall we probably deserved to win. Both teams certainly had a go at trying to win the game."

The manager agreed that the run of six games unbeaten was just what was required at this stage in the season:-

"You are only as good as your last game and everybody wants to win the game at the weekend (away to Falkirk). We know how much it means to the fans, how much it means to the club so we are desperate to win that one and keep on building on this run that we are on just now.

"If they match the effort like they did tonight, the desire that they showed and the quality that they showed at times then we will definitely win more games than we lose."

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