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00:00Johners just about everything points towards Livingston taking their place in the playoff
00:06final but anyone assuming it's a formality hasn't been paying attention to the championship over
00:13the years. Partak Thistle are down but not out as they seek to reverse a first leg deficit for
00:20the second week running. Livingston start with the same team that began the 2-0 win
00:30on Tuesday, nothing being taken for granted by David Martindale
00:35as he looks to ensure his side get over the line to claim that final berth next week.
00:44Partak Thistle really are down to the bare bones with Lee Ashcroft
00:48the latest to succumb to injury, he's out and young Jamie Lowe moves to
00:52the bench with Stevie Lawless and Ben Stanway coming into the team.
01:00Stevie Lawless has served both these sides with distinction and Thistle could do with
01:05him showing his quality tonight as they look to spring another playoff surprise.
01:13Ryan McGowan has started every single game this season for Livy,
01:16tonight it's 51st appearance and he'll be hoping to add a couple more after this.
01:22Kevin Clancy is the man tucked in behind Brian Graham there and is in charge
01:33for this crucial contest, Jamie Brandon, the Libby skipper with his Thistle counterpart Brian Graham.
01:45Brian Graham indicating he wants to change ends.
01:52It might just mean a little bit of the sun naturally in the Thistle goalkeepers
02:03eyes, bizarrely, not sure entirely why that would have been the choice but
02:08I'm sure Brian Graham has his reasons.
02:14David Mitchell makes his way to the opposite end.
02:23A decent turnout from both sets of supporters this evening in West Lothian sunshine
02:33and it's the man who opened the scoring at Firhill who will get us underway, Livingston's
02:39record appearance holder. Sprinklers are off and the players are ready as are we to bring you
02:49the final live championship match stroke premiership playoff
02:54of the season, highlights of the final next week.
03:01Will it be Livingston, will it be part of Thistle?
03:07Only twice has a two goal deficit been pegged back in the premiership playoffs,
03:12Thistle on the wrong end of it, the last one against Ross County in the final two years ago
03:17you remember, Ackies against Hibbs in the very first final, Leanne I heard you say pre-match you
03:24do think that Livingston will be too strong but as Fanny says you can't quite count Thistle out.
03:31No I don't think you can ever count Thistle out, I'll just when you look at the history,
03:36the playoff matches and the entertainment that we've witnessed over the last number of years but
03:41it is a huge ask to go Tuesday, Friday in consecutive weeks straight off the back of
03:46the championship season finishing so it'll be really interesting to see how Thistle go about it,
03:50will they throw everything at it in the opening 20-25 minutes, I said that to James, did they go
03:55and really try and get that first goal or did they just make sure that they frustrate Livingston
04:00and don't allow them to go and get that third goal which you would feel would be really important.
04:07Brandon sends it to the Thistle half, certainly if Thistle were to get the
04:14first goal it would make it extremely interesting regardless of when that comes
04:20but if Livingston were to strike first, I feel that it's pretty much over, it'll be at
04:30Ross County victory over Thistle two years ago coming from three nil down with 20 minutes left in the tie.
04:37Thistle need all their big players to really turn up tonight, they need a performance out in the
04:48likes of Aidan Fitzpatrick who probably hasn't had quite the season that he would have hoped for.
04:58Dan O'Reilly inadvertently getting that nicely back to his goalkeeper.
05:08Lobied Chalmers, another one that could do with a big performance from him.
05:18Lobied Chalmers and Aidan Fitzpatrick are two players that have not featured in the team often
05:24enough, it's generally been one another especially since Mark and Ryan came into the job but
05:30certainly in recent weeks both in the team, both fit and as you say they need big performances
05:34from those types of players tonight, middle to front for Thistle and it's going to be so so
05:38important as much as they rely on Brian Graham for goals, they're going to need more than that tonight
05:43if they're going to get themselves back in the tie.
05:44Kevin Clancy's awarded the free kick right on the edge of the box, it was pretty cynical stuff there.
06:01It really is cynical, actually I want to talk for a minute, Kevin Clancy wasn't going to give
06:14the fill, it's an intelligent run from Ben Stantway.
06:20Well he was lively down at Somerset last Friday wasn't he and he opened up a similar kind of impact.
06:25He's had a frustrating season as well, injuries have meant that he's been in and out of the team but
06:35he really does create, even on Tuesday night as well, a couple of half chances, really aggressive.
06:42Logan Chalmers is lining this one up but it's an early opportunity
06:46and it's Logan Chalmers, oh he got a hold of it but with the power, the precision was lacking.
06:56I mean he's well within his rights to go and take the shot on but he's searching
07:01always for that top corner and as soon as the ball leaves his foot it's always rising,
07:05really difficult technique to go and work it into that far corner.
07:09I need to say it was a decent opportunity gone for Thistle, it was early on.
07:13A bit of a decision there between Wilson and McGowan.
07:23And it seems with optimism for Thistle but they've got some defending to do there as Meg
07:30Watt crosses it back to the keeper.
07:39Wiggling away from Neil Head but he's given it straight to Macaulay Tate.
07:44Looking to banish memories of the own goal he scored here
07:48against the league's opponents a couple of weeks back.
07:52In an otherwise very impressive season for him.
07:55I know you have mentioned it Al just as a game of start but I cannot work out why Patrick
08:02Thistle have changed halves at the start of this game because Macbeth over in that far
08:07side was struggling to get out initially making it so difficult to see.
08:12Fitzpatrick fires that forward, Chalmers gives chase,
08:14Brehon just allowed that to roll back into his box before gathering.
08:21Yeah it's a curious one Leanne I'm sure.
08:26I mean the sun is going to probably dip in the next few minutes, shouldn't be too much of an issue.
08:32But it's a good couple of feet.
08:39So Bobby Fraser set up the opener and Pharrell and Kelly set it in.
08:45Muirhead hitting the deck.
08:47Yeah I don't think there's an awful lot in it there.
08:53Muirhead certainly having a complaint towards the referee, it's the ball not good enough.
08:59Mannegan able to play left back to right.
09:04The options are limited.
09:05Looking at that Thistle bench there and as well there's really only a couple of
09:09what you would call senior players on there in the shape of
09:12Alex Jakubiak and Xander McKenzie who's pretty young himself.
09:16Of course they've got Jamie Lowe who's now played a couple of games.
09:18But the rest are kids who by and large haven't even made their debut yet.
09:23No exactly they really have had to pad it out with young players this evening.
09:27Which for them great experience to be in there and obviously seeing how the first team operate.
09:31But not exactly the best case scenario in this type of position for Patrick Thistle.
09:36And as I mentioned at the top of the show with Alexei Brian Graham at his age,
09:40you know it's incredible the energy levels that he's got.
09:42But to go again Tuesday, Friday is a huge ask.
09:45And the reality is there's not many opportunities really to bring him off the pitch.
09:49It's Fraser in.
10:02Livingstone have only lost a couple at home in the league this season.
10:05Of course that one to Thistle on the last day.
10:07There was another at home to Air United.
10:10They were both by a solitary goal.
10:12Clearly Thistle need to win by two minimum tonight.
10:17As Bobby Bearhead lends up the long throw in here.
10:24Comes to the six yard box.
10:25Wilson just got a little nudge there from O'Reilly to put him off.
10:29He was behind for a goal kick.
10:31Which is going to have to be taken again because it was slightly moving.
10:36Yeah David Mitchell just looking to try and set Thistle off.
10:39You can see the tempo.
10:40They're not wanting to mess about.
10:41So clearly the intent is that if you can play quickly you get the ball down.
10:46Try and use the energy that you've got in the beginning of the game.
10:49Try and get yourselves certainly on top tonight.
10:51Get a go back if you possibly can.
10:54Looking at the squad and the changes and Stuart Banning and the job that he does as well.
10:58The fact that he's doing that.
11:00You know having to go and do that job tonight.
11:02Fullback takes out his tenacity and aggression in the middle of the pitch.
11:05Which I think for Patrick Thistle is a huge loss.
11:08Livingstone over the course of the season.
11:10They win that battle in the middle of the pitch more often than not.
11:12The games that they've come out on top against.
11:14Really good sides and the performances have come.
11:20There's a handball given against Robin Crawford there.
11:24It's going to be a free kick to Livy.
11:25It's a pretty decent position to send the one in here from Stephen Kelly.
11:32Pick out a teammate in there.
11:34Wilson rising just over him.
11:37Tanyo can't find Tate.
11:39Megwa looking to get beyond Tate.
11:42He goes down.
11:44And then it's a side to play kick.
11:50That's an interesting battle over in the far side.
11:53The pace of Megwa as well.
11:55But he's just too keen to really try and get beyond Nicolai Tate.
11:59You can see the connection just at the bottom of his foot.
12:02His calf as well.
12:02Bundles him over.
12:07Another factor working against Thistle tonight is the fact that
12:23Livingston have the best defensive record in the championship.
12:37Pretty mean defence and having won five of their last six,
12:43they get a clean sheet in four of those.
12:51Chatham is looking to beat the offside trap.
12:53She's managed to do.
12:55Now taking on McGowan.
12:58Skips past him once more.
13:00And he just tries to pick out.
13:02Puts Patrick at the back post.
13:04Just over hits him.
13:07He does really well.
13:08Logan Chalmers really well.
13:10Stands up his player over in the far side.
13:12Puts the burners on.
13:14Actually thought he'd get himself caught.
13:16But lovely wee touch.
13:17I mean he's desperate still to keep it in his left foot.
13:19I just wonder if he could have clipped it with the right foot.
13:23Might have just been able to control it better.
13:25But gets the delivery all wrong.
13:29Some positive signs over Patrick Thistle in the opening part of the game.
13:33Their biggest problem is the fact that they trail 2-0 from Tuesday night.
13:36When you look at the temptations around it.
13:39When you look at, as you're mentioning, the defensive record of Livingstone.
13:42They've come here and won not so long ago.
13:44So the reality of winning on the night won't faze Patrick Thistle with that type of challenge.
13:48It's just the fact that now they know they need to get minimum two goals to get right back in the tie.
13:56Well if they are looking for some sort of positive signs.
14:01They have lost a couple of times by two or more over the course of the season.
14:06They were both away from home to be fair.
14:082-0 at Hampden against Queen's Park.
14:103-0 away to Durham Firmland.
14:12It can be done.
14:21Mitchell's come well at his box to send that one downfield.
14:26He's tried to pick a pass for Lawless and he's done well.
14:29So too is Lawless.
14:30And he's looking for Brian Graham who's in behind.
14:32He tried to take a touch.
14:34But he might well have gone for goal.
14:36Straight away he is offside in any case.
14:42It looks really tight I would need to say.
14:45Brian Graham's gesturing over to the assistant referee in that far side.
14:49He doesn't think he's off.
14:51But again it's good play.
14:52Patrick Thistle do really well.
14:53Starts from David Mitchell.
14:55Lawless does.
14:56That's marginal.
14:57Marginal there.
15:00I need to say Jamie Brandon defends Brian Graham really well.
15:02Not knowing the offside flag was going to go up.
15:05He just does enough to use his physicality.
15:09McGowan clears in the end.
15:11It was a very, very tight decision.
15:15Muirhead's been penalised there.
15:22Home fans don't like it.
15:24Robbie Muirhead certainly doesn't like it.
15:29I mean it's going to go on like this all night.
15:31Dan O'Reilly and Muirhead.
15:34It's a physical battle.
15:36Both players going at it.
15:39It's just the fact that Muirhead then throws himself on top of the ball.
15:42You're right.
15:42The Livingston fans around us not enjoying it one bit.
15:49It looked like Kevin Clancy was quite happy for the 50-50 tussle to go on.
15:53And then only when Muirhead handled it did he give the free kick.
15:56Which is fair enough.
16:02Now we expect to see both sets of teams battling away like that.
16:06Brian Graham and McGowan at the other end, no doubt, dueling it out.
16:18Closing down there by Muirhead.
16:19O'Reilly gets it forward at the second attempt.
16:20And then flicked on by Chalmers to Graham.
16:24Manages to get it under control.
16:26Pokes it into Fitzpatrick.
16:27And goes again.
16:29Tries to check back inside.
16:31Sturdy has it.
16:32Bannigan in support.
16:33Swings it back post.
16:35A wee wife, Fraser.
16:38Great play from Fitzpatrick.
16:40That's all I've got to say.
16:42Yeah, given their supporters over at that far side
16:46coming to cheer about in these early stages.
16:48They'd love to be cheering a goal, clearly.
16:54I mean, you look at the energy levels just now.
16:56The enthusiasm.
16:57I mentioned Stuart Bannigan.
16:59He's doing a great job on this left-hand side as well.
17:01Picking his moments.
17:01Went to drop into that deeper full-back position.
17:04Went to go and stretch the game.
17:05He's got that understanding as well as a midfielder
17:08in terms of those pockets of space.
17:10Brian Graham's dropping into a pocket of space as well.
17:12Been able to link the game a little bit deeper.
17:14Knowing that he's got the legs and Chalmers and Fitzpatrick around him.
17:18Here's Stanley.
17:18He's got the legs and the midfield as well.
17:20He drives forward.
17:21And he goes for goal.
17:22And it takes a big deflection.
17:24And it spins past the post.
17:27He could really have gone anywhere.
17:28It's impressive play from Thistle all round.
17:31Yeah, really good.
17:32We spoke about Ben Stanwyck.
17:33And he's well within his rights to go and get his shot off.
17:36I know he's got teammates around him.
17:38Perhaps looking for him to set the ball off.
17:40But when you're that distance out as a midfielder,
17:43you've got to go and back yourself to get your shot off.
17:48That's for Patrick Thistle.
17:49The corner.
17:50Just allows you to sustain the pressure for a little bit longer.
17:54They started well and a bit for help.
17:56The problem was they didn't find the back of the net.
17:59And then found themselves behind.
18:01Looking to try and get their noses in front here.
18:06Here's Megwa.
18:08Count to Lawless.
18:11Up against Fraser.
18:12That's his inside.
18:13And then clips it into the box.
18:14Pickett stays cool.
18:16And chases it down.
18:18Sent forward by Wilson.
18:20I think it should be there.
18:21Plenty of time to direct it back to Mitchell.
18:25It's a strong challenge by Lawless.
18:33And an unfair one in the referee's view on Stephen Kelly.
18:38Pickett goes, live his way.
18:40Yeah, in first view and it just looks like Lawless gets it wrong.
18:43Kelly manages to neck in in front.
18:46Not too much else in it, right enough.
18:52It's going to be that type of game, I think, tonight as well.
18:55As he rebarks all over the pitch.
19:00Kelly just slides that down the lane.
19:02But he's offside.
19:04Over on that far side.
19:07Lewis Smith.
19:11That really is wasteful from Livingston.
19:13Just looking at the Livingston manager.
19:17He's not one bit pleased.
19:19Maybe he'll lack it.
19:20Concentration.
19:22I'd like to be delighted by the way he's started the game.
19:25He was saying it was very much nil-nil.
19:30There's probably been slightly second best in the opening quarter of an hour.
19:33Yeah, and I mean, that's got to be your mindset, I think, as a team that is winning 2-0.
19:37And a lot of folk will tell you that 2-0 is a horrible scoreline.
19:40Because you know the next goal in the game is so vitally important.
19:43And if you don't get it and it goes 2-1, all of a sudden, your comfortable lead diminishes very, very quickly.
19:48Fraser catching Lawless this time.
19:55And the free kick goes Thistle's way this time.
20:07Jamie Brandon coming across as captain.
20:10It's probably Fraser who's going to get the talking to here.
20:18It's better looking at it here, Al, certainly from the far side.
20:24It doesn't look great in terms of his studs showing.
20:26I don't think there's too much more in terms of intent.
20:29I think just the type of game, as I mentioned, Kevin Clancy will, within his rights, just to
20:33bring the captain over.
20:34And certainly a young player as well, just have a word that's the best way to deal with things
20:38at this stage of the game.
20:39Chalmers with the free kick.
20:41Up comes O'Reilly.
20:42Wins the header.
20:43Gets another go at it.
20:45And yet another comes back to Fitzpatrick.
20:47Lawless for Chalmers.
20:51It's a letdown for Patrick Thistle, that final effort.
20:59I mean, it's a real let off again for Livingston, but it's so poor in terms of the delivery
21:04from Chalmers.
21:04And that's, you know, we're speaking about needing more and how much of a reliance there
21:09is on Brian Grameau.
21:10You've got to feed him better service than that.
21:12You know, he's crying out for it at the back area.
21:15Chalmers lifts the ball.
21:17High and wide.
21:19Wilson gets kicked in the head here.
21:22Put his head in the way, almost, of O'Reilly's shot.
21:26Very bravely, but it's been a real sore one.
21:35They've got a good challenge.
21:37It's coming back again.
21:38They've definitely got their tails up here.
21:40And if they could get a goal, we would really have a tie in our hands then.
21:45Did you release the badge?
21:48Well, thank you for saying that, but for the neutral, at least.
22:02It's an offside flag that's up against Brian Grameau, as he was claiming for the throw-in.
22:06You can see the game plan, though, from Patrick Thistle, and I'm looking at Mark Wilson down
22:18in the dugout as well.
22:18He's kicking every ball with the players, trying to help them as much as they possibly
22:21can in moments that they don't have the ball.
22:24He's really working in it in terms of coaching the players, what the press should look like,
22:27going and getting after it.
22:28You've got Brian Grameau up top that leads in terms of the press really well himself.
22:32Good energy and legs at this stage of the game underneath it.
22:35They really have got Livingston rocked, you would need to say.
22:42Reilly thumps up one long, counts header.
22:50Reilly gets it down to Crawford, looks for Lawless, lays it off to Megwa, into the feet
22:56of Chalmers.
22:58Lawless has gone beyond him, Megwa's running on the overlap as well, just overcooks the
23:03pass and allows Fraser to come in, but Megwa's done well, brings it back for Thistle.
23:10Chalmers with the crossing opportunity, here's Lawless inside the box, helps it on,
23:14Stanaway for Graham, can he get the shot in?
23:16McGowan in the way.
23:22Some last-ditch defending going on for Livingston in these early stages.
23:34And it was a lot happening inside the penalty area there.
23:38I'm still looking at Brian Graham that's clearly trying to go at Kevin Clancy.
23:44He feels it was a handball.
23:47He might get a better look, a chance to see.
23:54I mean Ben Stanaway, his arm looks like it's up and elevated as well.
24:04Not for me, two players on the exact same position, natural position.
24:12Well we don't have VAR, I think for the most part of the championship we quite like that,
24:17so the non-decision stands if you like, Brian Graham.
24:23I can understand his frustration now.
24:25You're always going to claim for it.
24:26Yeah, absolutely.
24:27And maybe again, you know, James probably will get a chance to look at that again at
24:30half-time.
24:30I'm interested to see what his thoughts are on it.
24:32But for me, I think when both players and their arm is basically in the exact same position
24:36and the ball's coming down, I don't think there was any motion towards it.
24:42But in games like this, you're going to claim for it.
24:44Clearly with a good ball in, Muirhead goes and tries to attack it.
24:47It's going to be a corner.
24:48It looks to me like it keeps playing off of Muirhead's head.
25:04Yeah, that's certainly what the Thistle players were claiming.
25:07But they defend the situation regardless.
25:12And it comes from Kelly.
25:30That's Wilson that wins it.
25:32Just wouldn't dip under the crossbar though.
25:39Yeah, he does well.
25:40Danny Wilson round the back, looking to try and keep it alive.
25:45He just can't get the best connection on it.
25:47And you've got to say, for Kevin Clancy's sake, you're glad that that type of situation
25:51doesn't lead to a goal because it certainly didn't look like it should have been a Livingston
25:55corner.
26:02For all Thistle's good play in the opening quarter, Leanne, Jerome Prior's not had a
26:23save to make and that's their problem, isn't it?
26:24They're having decent spells in games.
26:27They're not testing the goalkeeper enough.
26:29No, you're right.
26:29It's the 1% that's letting them down.
26:31It was the same certainly on Tuesday night.
26:33Opportunities created.
26:37Here's Smith onto the left foot.
26:39Curls one.
26:39Good stop from Mitchell.
26:42And I'll go Libby.
26:44That's good on the back foot.
26:45They're the ones who are pulling the save out of David Mitchell.
26:51Yeah, I mean, it's a good save from Mitchell, but I think you can see and anticipate the
26:55whole way.
26:56He's only going that far corner.
26:57He's got plenty of time to go and adjust.
27:00It makes it look pretty comfortable in the end, but Livingston's first real sign as well
27:05of really going and working the goalkeeper, which will be more pleasing for their manager.
27:15Here he is again, trying to find a bit of space.
27:19Well, there was a test for Prior, but he, like Mitchell at the other end, knew what
27:25was coming, moved his feet and saved comfortably.
27:28Again, comfortably.
27:29Brian Graham, not where he would want to be outside the area, right enough, but he works
27:33a good half yard of space.
27:35Gets the ball out with the right foot.
27:38He's well within his rights to look to go and try and shape that in the far corner.
27:41Just doesn't get the connection that he would want.
27:48You almost feel just in the last couple of minutes that the tempo's come down ever so
27:52slightly in that opening 20 minutes, which is understandable.
27:57It was interesting on Tuesday night because I actually felt it was a similar type start
28:09from Pat and Thistle, but speaking to Davey Martindale at the end of the game, my suggestion
28:14is that the goal perhaps came against the run of play to some extent.
28:18He disagreed, which I know he disagrees a lot of the time when people say, but for him
28:22in the touchline, it must have felt a lot more comfortable certainly than it looked
28:25from our vantage point.
28:28I know it's worth it.
28:2910-2 key with U of T coming in.
28:329-7.
28:47Kelly taking a chance here against Stanway.
28:50Gives the free kick.
28:57Again, it's back the way.
29:24This will pick up.
29:25It's Niall Ellis.
29:29Across goes Macaulay Tate.
29:32Ellis manages to dig out the cross.
29:33Graham brings it down.
29:35Surrounded.
29:37Manchester get through a couple of challenges.
29:40Lacking in support though.
29:44Didn't have many options there at all.
29:46Tries to force it back to Bannigan.
29:50Yeah, I mean that from Brian Graham, which would be frustrating for himself because it's
29:54just, he gets it completely wrong.
29:56He's looking to just try and set it back into the path of Bannigan.
30:00Gets his foot underneath the ball and it's out for a throw-in.
30:06Shreds.
30:08It's a bit of a spin.
30:15Goes at Bannigan down there.
30:17Getting the decision.
30:29It's absolutely useless there.
30:30If someone shoots the referee, he's indicating it was a bad challenge in the end.
30:34I nearly noticed one myself.
30:38Yeah, I'm not sure if it was the earlier one perhaps that was too Bannigan.
30:42I just don't think he's too happy in general.
30:49Taken short again.
30:52Challenges done well but Kelly Binks still get the cross in.
30:55Was he clipped there?
30:56Will the assistant have a good view?
30:57He says no.
30:59Stathway was caught and the assistant spotted that one.
31:03That'll be a free kick to Thistle.
31:07Kelly now arguing with the assistant saying he was fouled just prior to that.
31:12Yeah, I mean the game's just getting a bit too stop-start now.
31:15Too many needless fouls.
31:18I can understand the players looking to try and be physical and get close to things but
31:24Kevin Clancy might just need to produce a card very shortly
31:29just to try and get the flow of the game back and actually take control.
31:33Yeah, it's getting a little bit tense here isn't it?
31:35Which is understandable, I mean it is that type of game.
31:38I think Stathway are going to be frustrated at the fact that they're not dominating the
31:42game the way they would perhaps have liked.
31:43Apart from Thistle are going to look to try and get as close as they possibly can.
31:48Mitchell hasn't quite gathered that, he's under a great deal of pressure.
31:52Kevin Clancy allows the game to go.
31:54Riley was just trying to see it back to him.
31:56Mitchell's gone down now.
31:57It ends up looking like he's taken a really heavy knock.
32:01Kevin Mitchell, the way he's come through, I think it was Dana Riley that goes into the
32:06challenge with him but I think he's got to do a bit of his handling.
32:11It's the way he comes out and almost tries to use his body to gather the ball.
32:18No, he completely misses it.
32:19He's caused his own problems.
32:21Yeah, I think he's got to do a bit of his handling.
32:23I think he's got to do a bit of his handling.
32:25No, he completely misses it.
32:26He's caused his own problems.
32:29Gets away with one.
32:31So
32:53lively enough opening half hour, no goals.
32:55This will probably edging it.
33:03It's having a match to get the goal back that they so desire.
33:10Banigan feeding that forward now.
33:12It's patching up against Brandon here.
33:14Brandon's shown a good turn of pace to keep up with him.
33:18Back with Banigan to the midfield.
33:20The stanley stopped by Hickman.
33:26Cowan feeds it forward to Montaniel.
33:30Fraser just has to check his run slightly but gets it back to Montaniel.
33:40I think it's Macbeth opening that far side.
33:42Defends the situation really well and those are the moments because I mean
33:46watching Livingstone throughout the season, they're so deadly
33:49in those transitional moments when they catch you higher up the pitches.
33:52This will look to throw numbers forward.
33:54In that instance it was Stanley that got the ball taken off and pinched in the
33:58middle of the pitching.
33:59When Livingstone go they can go with real threat and quality.
34:07Off take for the pro.
34:13Take steps in again.
34:15Brandon, looking to cause a bit more uncertainty but Macbeth just nods that back to Mitchell.
34:21He bulls it out for Maguire.
34:44O'Reilly now.
34:52It's Patrik into Banigan.
34:54A bit of space here.
34:58Reaches it back to Patrik.
34:59It's quickly closed out by Brandon.
35:01Lawless looking to help it on to Maguire.
35:05Into Stanley.
35:07Tries to take it on first time but Tate had gone with him all the way.
35:11Who his intentions were.
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35:42Watch that wheel.
35:43Can he get a cross in?
35:45He's won his side of the corner.
35:47FULL-TIME WHISTLE
35:49FULL-TIME WHISTLE
35:50Better again from Patrik Dissel.
35:52FULL-TIME WHISTLE
35:54Again, when they managed to get territory higher up the pitch as well.
35:57FULL-TIME WHISTLE
35:59They do carry a three.
36:00Short corner taken.
36:01Now it's thrown into the box.
36:02That comes off Maguire and then Muirhead.
36:05FULL-TIME WHISTLE
36:06Dissel fans again calling for a hat ball but I don't think so.
36:11FULL-TIME WHISTLE
36:12No such thing.
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36:22No chance.
36:23Ah, of course they will.
36:24Aswell players.
36:25FULL-TIME WHISTLE
36:27There wasn't too many on that occasion, right enough.
36:29FULL-TIME WHISTLE
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36:33Good lead from O'Reilly.
36:34Graham, that's one to Stanaway.
36:37Now it's Wilson out, quickly to close him down.
36:40Lawless gets it to Graham and out to Maguire.
36:43Stanaway goes and offers himself on the right flank.
36:46Swirls it in back post.
36:48Brian Graham with an opportunity!
36:51And the offside flag up against him once more.
36:54FULL-TIME WHISTLE
36:56And he's got a yellow card for his remonstrations.
36:59They've gone a bit too far for Kevin Clancy's liking.
37:05Yeah, well there's been a number of decisions now that Brian Graham certainly feels have gone against him.
37:11I think he can argue right enough when you see it back.
37:15He showed it, certainly looks like he's beyond the last defender.
37:19Is he perhaps more frustrated with actually didn't finish the chance?
37:24Possibly, possibly.
37:26It's the type of movement that he loves to do though and on that occasion the ball was much, much better.
37:31Yeah, I mean he's looking over and I can see him, he's telling the assistants that they've got it wrong.
37:35But for me I don't think they have.
37:39The first one was borderline, the second one was more clear-cut as Muirhead's.
37:44Yeah, and I think when he's the deepest player like that Alan, I don't think you can really get it wrong.
37:51Leading with the arm there, absolutely sold out.
37:55That's a free kick.
38:04SportsCenter knock the ball, as you covered, tomorrow from half past 11.
38:08On BBC Radio Scotland and then the Premiership highlights tomorrow and Sunday quarter past seven.
38:15As the top flight comes to a close, we'll find out who will be involved in the play-off final.
38:24Will it be Ross County?
38:26Will Dundee have it in their own hands?
38:29Realistically they probably just need a point at St Johnstone but if they fail to get that,
38:38Ross County can save themselves a third straight play-off involvement.
38:44That's going to come through to Muirhead.
38:47McBeth trying to get back with him, Muirhead cuts inside, doesn't do particularly well but it is good defending you have to say by McBeth.
38:56Yeah, I think you've got to say Dan O'Reilly owes McBeth a big thank you there for how he gets it so wrong with the ball that comes over his head.
39:12I know at times you can misjudge the flight of the ball but I actually think Dan O'Reilly was just more focused on going on the attack and sustaining pressure
39:20rather than focusing on what his defensive duties look like if the ball gets turned over.
39:26McBeth doing what he's done really well off-season in that centre-back position is morphing up.
39:41Smith infield to Tate, shifts it on to Kelly.
39:47He's going to try his luck from distance, good few yards wide in the end.
39:56Against Chance first.
40:00Yeah, I mean Dan O'Reilly as I say just misjudges the flight of the ball
40:04and McBeth does really well, doesn't allow Muirhead to really set himself and get a look at goal, narrows the angle.
40:16Chalmers had time to bring that down, perhaps didn't get the shout but Crawford's won it back.
40:22Now Stanwy tries to release Graham over to the far side, Chalmers in, Fitzpatrick are into the box.
40:30The player trying to go it alone, he's thwarted.
40:38It's good play again from Patrick Thistle, Ben Stanwy in particular, he's had a really good
40:4437 minutes in this half. I was thinking that earlier, I think he's a player who
40:49looks like he's got a bright future, whether it be next season at Thistle but potentially
40:55even a higher level beyond that. Yeah, no I would agree, I think he's got levels to go
40:59in his game. I think he's got a brilliant attitude as well, I think he goes about his business.
41:04We have bumped into him as well a number of times just having that shared facility with Glasgow City
41:08and Patrick Thistle at points and as I say he's had a really frustrating season in terms of injuries
41:13but every time he's had a setback he looks to do his best to get back on the pitch and chips in
41:18with goals and looks to try and be a real team player and you can see that the way he's moved
41:22the ball tonight. Probably there's just that goal threat as well, if he can really start
41:28adding more numbers to his game.
41:30You'll hear him toast it up, eventually challenged by O'Reilly.
42:00Under pressure, manages to get through a couple of Thistle challenges there really well.
42:13Gets his side moving forward, now it's Brandon driving into the area, can he get the shot off?
42:19He can! The captain comes up with a massive goal for Livingston, Jimmy Brandon with the rarest of goals.
42:30Might well have sent Livingston into the playoff final.
42:43That's a big big goal isn't it, in the context of the tie.
42:51It's Livingston's first real good chance to test Mitchell
42:55but from a Parthak Thistle perspective when you look back at the goal it's so reactive.
43:03Mannigan jumps out of position, O'Reilly jumps out of position without affecting the ball
43:09and I've got a better look at it but I just wonder should David Mitchell do better in terms
43:14of that right arm? Can he get a better contact on it? Looks to me like he goes with the fist.
43:20I mean it's a sucker punch for Parthak Thistle but what a huge goal for Livingston.
43:26Well he'd only scored one career goal before this season,
43:30that is actually a third of this campaign but there will be none bigger than that one.
43:43And it's a similar story, Thistle despite having had plenty of the play have failed to
43:52really create clear-cut chances, certainly failed to take any and find themselves behind
43:57once more and now three down in the tie and it is a long long way back from here.
44:05Yeah you're spot on Al, it is a long way back and that's exactly how the Parthak Thistle players
44:11will be feeling for everything that they've put into this half of football. They've played some
44:15good stuff but the reality is they've not really carried a goal threat and that has been their
44:20problem. It was a problem on Tuesday night in terms of their chances, not taking them,
44:26not creating enough out with Brian Graham and the chances that he had
44:30and it's been the same again tonight.
44:45I mean it completely changes the dynamic of even a half-time team top.
44:50I think if you're Parthak Thistle and you get in with the scoreline as it is,
44:54you know level in the night and two down from Tuesday, you still feel like he won't throw a
44:59bit more at it. Maybe tweak the system of us, slightly look to try and be a bit more aggressive
45:04and get players a bit closer to Brian Graham but it just looks and feels so different now.
45:20Helping out, chancing the shot down. Brandon sent it back in.
45:26A clash of heads there between Montano and I think it's McVeigh.
45:34Game immediately stopped.
45:36He's croggy looking with Montano.
45:49Yes, certainly doesn't look too great for Christian Montano. McVeigh looks
45:56certainly better of the two. That's a heavy clash isn't it, both players eyes fixed on the ball.
46:02Might take a couple of minutes here in terms of treatment.
46:15Yeah it's just a part of the game you'd never like to see it
46:19but two players 100% committed, fully focused on the ball.
46:25Yeah there's nothing more in it than that out, two players looking to challenge for the ball.
46:31You just hope that both players are okay. That's a thumbs up for McVeigh.
46:40Jamie Brandon, his goal is the difference between the sides on the night.
46:48I mean Brandon does really well back across the goalkeeper, everything that you would want in
46:52terms of the finish as well. You're speaking about his lack of goals as well in terms of his
46:57career but what a night to go and find the back of the net with that all-important third goal as
47:02it stands just now in the tie. It's a captain's performance certainly.
47:11You just wonder what David Martindale will be saying to these players at half time. I still
47:14don't think he'll be too pleased with how the first half's gone in relation to the performance.
47:20They do look like they might just start to motor in the tie now though.
47:24A bit more comfortable, a bit more space to go and play.
47:32That's good to see.
47:36Both players having to go off but a handshake between the pair. I think both acknowledging
47:52again as we were saying just a committed challenge from both of them.
48:06That's excellent from Jamie Brandon. He thought for a second that Patrick was going to just be
48:27able to get the face and get his body across. He knew exactly what he was doing.
48:41The touchline that they want this going long. No chances being taken pre-half time.
48:57So it looks like Livingston are going to get the chance to go straight back up and then come down.
49:12Finishing bottom in the Premiership last season unless there is one almighty comeback
49:20in the second half. Montano doing well, fouled by Stanway and that'll be a yellow card.
49:27I don't think Stanway can have too many complaints. Probably feels it's a foul that he had to make.
49:42Daniel certainly just about to get the ball out from his feet.
49:48Confirmation there as we head towards the end of the couple of minutes of added on time.
49:58I think this will certainly can't afford to concede again.
50:09Bobby Muirhead will surely fancy this. Usually does. Stephen Kelly's over it as well.
50:16It is Muirhead who cracks it off the wall. Smith will see that behind for a corner.
50:22There's time for it as if not. Kevin Fancy sends the players up the tunnel at the end of a first
50:29half in which Jamie Brandon has scored the only goal and given Livingston a commanding lead
50:37in the semi-final overall. Three goals now they lead by and it's a huge task for
50:45Partick Thistle to claw this one back. 45 to play. Livingston lead by a goal to nil on the night, 3-0 on aggregate.