Livingston head into winter break on 13-game winless run after loss to Hearts

Livingston head into the winter break on a 13-game winless run despite a spirited showing against third-placed Hearts.

The sides played out a goalless first half of few chances with Lawrence Shankland seeing his header bounce back off the bar. But the visitor were much more clinical after the break and well-taken goals from Kenneth Vargas and Shankland saw them take a two goal advantage.

Livi got themselves back into the game when Andrew Shinnie converted a penalty but they were unable to find a second.

David Martindale elected to make five changes following their disappointing 3-1 loss to Motherwell at the weekend, with Jack Hamilton, Tom Parkes, Jamie Brandon, Steven Bradley and Shinnie all being recalled to the starting line-up.

Needing a reaction from that loss, Livi almost took the lead just two minutes in as Ayo Obileye turned a James Penrice corner towards goal with the initial effort saved before the centre-back put the rebound wide in a congested penalty area.

They thought they had made that bright start count on nine minutes as Kurtis Guthrie nodded home an Andrew Shinnie delivery only for a lengthy VAR check to rule it out for offside.

The hosts looked far from a side lacking in confidence as they controlled much of the play in the first half, but they were unable to fashion much in the way of chances on goal.

At the other end, Lawrence Shankland cut a frustrated figure for much of the first half but he produced a moment of genius on 37 minutes that almost gave his side the lead. The Scotland international saw his header from distance clip the crossbar before the hosts were able to clear the danger.

Livi's winless run has seen several moments of shooting themselves in the foot and they nearly did so once again