Livingston cling on for victory in feisty affair at home to Aberdeen

Livingston emerged victorious in a battle with Aberdeen that saw 14 yellow cards, a red card, some frantic last ditch defending from the hosts and a contest that at times resembled more of a schoolyard fight than a game of football.

The Lions opened the scoring on eight minutes when Ayo Obileye turned a Bruce Anderson strike beyond Gary Woods before a wonderful finish from Alan Forrest just after the break doubled their lead.

At times, the hosts were cutting Aberdeen apart every time they got over the halfway line and Jason Holt could have all but wrapped the game up had his strike not bounced off the post.

But the final 25 minutes was backs to the wall as Christian Ramirez blasted home from 10 yards against the run of play on 66 minutes.

Scrap after scrap ensued after the Dons reduced the deficit with referee Kevin Clancy having a staggeringly poor performance with countless baffling decisions as the game descended into a farce.

On several occasions players needed separated and it was no surprise when one was eventually dismissed six minutes from time.

Cristian Montano saw a second yellow for his reaction after Aberdeen's Vicente Besuijen had attempted to drag Anderson off the park after clattering the striker.

The Lions then defended magnificently over the closing stages with Stryjek repelling everything while the backline simply refused to bow under pressure - twice hooking would be equalising goals off the line.

Livingston boss David Martindale elected to start Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis who was making his first appearance since fracturing his foot in September. He replaces Scott Pittman in the midfield three with Odin Bailey dropping out for Montano in the only other changes to the line-up from Tuesday's