Livingston 1 Hearts 1

Bottom-of-the-table Livingston arrested their decline with their first point from seven games, although it could have been more for the hosts had they not thrown away an early lead against Hearts at Almondvale.

Barry Wilson had give the home side a half-time lead after he had capitalised on a Kevin McKenna mistake just before the break but a Phil Stamp curling shot less than a minute after the interval got the visitors level.

In a hard fought second half neither side could get the winner despite several half chances.

Livingston went into the game looking for their first win since the opening-day 3-2 victory over Motherwell but it was Hearts who came close after only a minute when Steven Pressley flashed a Jean-Louis Valois corner wide of the post.

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was making his first-team debut and in the 21st minute the 19-year-old was forced into action for the first time when he threw himself to his right to push Gary Bollan's 30-yard drive round the post.

David Bingham had the ball in the net from the subsequent Barry Wilson corner but referee Willie Young called play back for an infringement.

As the first half wore on Livingston gradually fought their way into the game but there was little goalmouth action.

In the 35th minute the home side should have taken the lead when Bingham sent Wilson through on goal but Gordon saved low to his right.

Five minutes later however, Livingston did go in front when Kevin McKenna's header back to his goalkeeper was too short. The lively Wilson latched onto it and rounded Gordon to stroke the ball into the empty net.

Within a minute of the restart the visitors had equalised with a tremendous goal.

Clever play in the midfield by Valois ended with the Frenchman slipping the ball to tamp at the edge of the box. The ex-Middlesbrough player took a touch before curling a right-footed shot into the top corner.

In the 55th minute Valois lashed a 30-yard free-kick into the arms of Javier Sanchez Broto in the Livingston goal.

On the hour mark Livingston defender David McNamee and Hearts striker Mark De Vries were both booked for a clash.

As the second half wore on the game became a stalemate but in the 65th minute Hearts substitute Gary Wales, on a minute earlier for Andy Kirk, should have done better from six yards but his weak shot went straight into Broto`s arms.

In the closing stages both side threw caution to the wind as they went for the winner and in the 80th minute Livingston substitute Davide Xausa, on earlier for Bingham, blasted over from 10 yards out when he should have at least hit the target.

Teams

Livingston Broto, McNamee, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Quino, Hart, O'Brien (Toure-Maman 71), Wilson, Zarate (Camacho 78), Bingham (Xausa 54).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, Bahoken.

Booked: McNamee, Andrews.

Goals: Wilson 41.

Hearts Gordon, Maybury, Pressley, McKenna, McMullan, Boyack, Stamp, Severin (Simmons 76), Valois (Weir 90), de Vries, Kirk (Wales 65).

Subs Not Used: Windrum, Webster.

Booked: Valois, de Vries, Simmons.

Goals: Stamp 46.

Att: 6,512

Ref: W Young (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com