Livingston Women's ace insists club's good start proves their SWPL2 pedigree

Livingston Women's midfielder Shannon Mulligan insists the club have proven they belong in SWPL2 as they enter the second round of fixtures.

The Lionesses have now played each team once and head into the weekend's clash away at Kilmarnock sitting third in the table seven games into their maiden campaign at that level.

Killie inflicted one of just two league defeats on Mulligan's side so far - winning 4-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena on the opening day of the season and she feels Sunday's clash will be a good way to measure how far they've come since their first game.

Speaking to the Courier, she said: "I think maybe some folk had an idea that we were maybe the underdogs going into the season because we had just been promoted and also had a change in manager but we had real confidence in the group.

"I think we've back that confidence up so far with our performances and results and we feel there's no reason why we can't be challenging at the top end of the table. We've had a very good start but we can't get carried away or think too far ahead.

"Kilmarnock will be a very tough game and they're a side who have started the season really well. Obviously they beat us in the first game but we were still a new team, first competitive game under Mike (Ross) and with a few new signings as well. I think we're starting to really gel and you can see the steps forward. It will be a good way to see how far we've come since that first game."

Mulligan bagged her first goal of the season in last weekend's 2-0 win over Stirling University and admits she's keen to make sure it's the first of many.

She said: "It was good to get my first goal but it always means that bit more when it comes with three points as well. That's the most important