By Lewis Laird
David Martindale’s Livingston side continued their incredible unbeaten run, making it 13 games without defeat in a stalemate with Aberdeen.
The scoreline may not have said so but it was an entertaining goalless draw between the two sides, who just couldn’t do enough to grab the all-important goal of the game with a point each being a pretty fair reflection of the game.
The pair played out a tight contest again (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group via Getty Images)
Despite being the only game in the country which was a goalless draw at half-time, it was an entertaining, end-to-end match with little between both sides. After 15 minutes, Livingston thought they had taken the lead. Some brilliant, fast feet from Craig Sibbald in the middle of the park gave him some space to thread a superb pass between the Aberdeen defence to Julian Serrano who finished well, slipping the ball through the legs of Joe Lewis.
However, the linesman had the flag up straight away to rule the goal out. Minutes later, Aberdeen were next to come close to taking the lead as Connor McLennan hit the crossbar. A well-delivered ball across by Jonny Hayes found the head of the Dons’ stand-in striker but the 21-year-old could only hit the underside of the bar.
The game was looking very end-to-end as Livingston again created a chance. A ball played across by Serrano on the left avoided several Dons defender and Livingston striker Scott Robinson. One of midweeks goal heroes, Scott Pittman, was waiting at the back to tap home.
So close. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Livi players were screaming, thinking that the ball has crossed the line, but the chance was ultimately saved brilliantly by Lewis getting there just in time to deny the home side the lead. After an end-to-end opening 45 minutes, it was much more of a tight affair between both Livi and Aberdeen in the second, but both still had chances to score.
Arguably, Livingstons best chance of the game came early in the second half. A corner delivered from the far side was not cleared by the Aberdeen defence which allowed Robinson to try and pounce on the chance with the ball in the air but couldn’t get the effort on target.
Ross McCrorie also came close to scoring the opening goal of the game as he rushed through on goal from the left side of the box. A perfectly weighted pass by Ryan Hedges in behind left McCrorie in a foot race with Efe Ambrose. The Dons midfielder was first to the ball and got his shot off but it was saved.
Ross McCrorie in action for Aberdeen (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
In the end, a draw was a fair result between two of the teams making up the top six. Here are three things we learned.
Martindale momentum
Today’s draw means Lions manager Martindale continues his remarkable run of 13 games without a loss since he came into the manager’s job.
Of course, the Livi boss would have preferred to take home all three points from the match. However, he will take the point against a well-drilled Aberdeen side who can be very tough to beat on their day.
Tough nut. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Aberdeen’s striker woes
After this result, that’s now two 0-0 draws in consecutive games for Derek McInnes’ side.
With a deal all but confirmed for striker Sam Cosgrove to complete his move down south to Birmingham City, it is clear that the Dons need a frontman and fast with just a few days left in the transfer window.
Solid defensive displays
Despite Livingston’s good form, looking at both team’s defensive records in recent weeks it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise that both cancelled each other out.
Livingston have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 games and Aberdeen now had four in their last six games. It’s certainly the solid foundation that most teams in the league look to build on.
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