Livingston 3-1 Partick Thistle

Sep 28 2008 Michael Baillie At Almondvale

First Division

LOAN star Calum Elliot struck his second double in two weeks to fire Livi three points clear at the top. Super Cal inspired Roberto Landi's troops once again after Murray Davidson had put the Lions ahead.

Thistle's Ian Maxwell netted at 2-0 to give them hope - only for Elliot to seal the win with a repeat performance of his superb two-goal show at Dundee last Saturday.

The victory gives Livi breathing space at the First Division summit but boss Landi insists his side are still an outside bet to reach the top flight.

He said: "We play football on the floor and when we do that no-one has a chance against us.

"I don't know what will happen in the future but all my players are in top condition and this was a big demonstration of our power - it was fantastic.

"However, I don't think we're favourites for the title. There are four or five teams that can win it but we want to stay top.

"If we play like we did today then we can stay there for a long time."

The Lions were leading Thistle by just two points in the race for promotion but made a blistering start in this top-of-the-table tussle.

It took Landi's charges just six minutes to make the breakthrough - although there was a touch of good fortune about Davidson's opener.

Rocco Quinn slipped a pass to fellow loan star Elliot who mis-hit his shot from the edge of the box.

However, the ball ran into the path of Davidson and he beat Thistle keeper Jon Tuffey with a lucky chip.

Davidson admitted his goal was a fluke - but there was nothing fortunate about Livi's second. Joe Hamill fizzed in a low cross from the left between Tuffey and the Jags defence and Elliot stole in to rifle a shot between the keeper's legs.

Ian McCall's men battled back to cut the deficit 10 minutes later as Steven Lennon's corner found Kevin McKinlay on the far side of the six yard box.

The defender prodded the ball back into the mix where Maxwell reacted quickest to stab past Pierre Martini.

Livi were denied a third two minutes before the break as Davidson unleashed 22-yard drive that crashed against the bar.

It was end-to-end stuff at this point but Livi looked the more dangerous - especially on the counter.

Quinn should have restored their two-goal advantage in 68 minutes when Tony McParland's defence-splitting pass found him with acres of room in the box.

The midfielder lacked composure though and blasted into the side-netting.

However, Quinn played a key role in the goal that dashed Partick's hopes with just seven minutes remaining.

Livi sprung a counter-attack and sub Fernando Giarrizzo's cross looked as though it was going out until Quinn burst a gut to keep the ball in then cut it back for Elliot who fired home at the near post.

Going the distance with Rangers in midweek seemed to have taken its toll on the Jags but gaffer McCall refused to use that as an excuse.

He said: "We were well beaten and looked tired.

"But Livingston were worthy winners and I'm sure they'll be up there at the end of the season.

"I just hope we are as well."

MoM: Davidson (Livi)