Livingston 2-1 Clyde

Aug 24 2008 Brian Welsh Reports

LIVEWIRE Leigh Griffiths fired a late winner as Livi came from behind to keep up their solid start to the season.

Pat Clarke gave the visitors an early lead but Anthony McParland levelled before hit kid Griffiths drove home with four minutes left to snatch it.

Clyde started well and a rare error by Chris Innes almost gifted them the lead after 12 minutes.

The ex-Gretnaman allowed a long ball by Mark Brown to bounce and Broadwood striker Scott Gemmill nipped in between Innes and keeper Pierre Martini only to fire wide.

Livi responded with a superb move that saw Rocco Quinn and Griffiths combine but the 17-year-old was denied by a timely Chris Higgins tackle.

Bully Wee striker Clarke then gave a masterclass in finishing with the opener in 29 minutes.

He ghosted in on Gemmill's hopeful flick then sent a low drive home from 15 yards.

But the lead lasted just 10 minutes when winger McParland levelled with a fine 20-yard shot after making room on the edge of the box.

The home side should have gone ahead just before the break when Joe Hamill put Griffiths clean through but the forward's effort struck the legs of Clyde keeper Peter Cherrie.

Livi almost took the lead seven minutes into the second half thanks to some comedy defending from the away side.

Brown's attempted clearance rebounded offMurray Davidson and sailed past the stranded Cherrie but blushes were spared as it landed in the side-netting. At the other end Higgins saw a header tipped over as both sides pushed forward in search of a winner.

Goal hero McParland was replaced by Jean Cuenca on the hour as boss Roberto Landi threw an extra man forward.

And the gamble came close to paying off when Murray Davidson's half-volley whistled narrowly wide.

Davidson was again denied by a superb Higgins challenge with six minutes left but the winner came 60 seconds later.

Griffiths raced clear on the left and with no support he let rip with an angled shot which flew past the helpless Cherrie.

MoM: Higgins (Clyde)