Livingston book Viaplay Cup quarter-final berth with scrappy win over Ayr United

Livingston booked their place in the Viaplay Cup quarter-finals but certainly didn't have it all their own way in a 2-0 home defeat of Ayr United.

The Championship side gave as good as they got for large spells of the game but were ultimately undone by Joel Nouble's sweeping strike on 12 minutes and Cristian Montano's bundled effort midway through the second half.

The Lions didn't start off particularly well, often looking jittery at the back, so it was a huge relief for the hosts to open the scoring on 12 minutes in fine fashion.

Patient build-up eventually led to Jason Holt's angled pass being flicked on by Kurtis Guthrie into the path of Cristian Montano. The Colombian full-back was sent through down the left flank with his cutback being swept home from 10 yards out by Nouble.

United looked for a quick response and veteran winger Aiden McGeady should have done better when he was found in acres of space on the left flank. He cut inside but fired a tame effort straight at Shamal George.

The hosts were disappointing for large spells of the first-half but did show greater urgency going forward after the break and twice went close to doubling their lead inside the opening five minutes. Brilliant build-up play eventually led to Stephen Kelly being teed up on the edge of the box but he blasted over, while the midfielder's defence-splitting pass sent Montano through - only for a trailing defender to apply enough pressure to prevent him from getting a shot off.

Ayr enjoyed a spell of dominance and looked to have got themselves on level terms when Paddy Reading's goalbound effort was well saved by George.

That would prove crucial as the Lions doubled their lead moments later when Montano's bundled the ball beyond Mutch in a