Livingston 1-1 Ross County: Late penalty leaves play-off tie finely poised

Next Fixture: Second leg in Dingwall – Monday, 27 May 2025

Livingston and Ross County played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership promotion/relegation play-off final at Livingston’s Tony Macaroni Arena on Thursday evening.

Danny Wilson gave the hosts the lead just before half-time with a close-range finish, but Ross County striker Ronan Hale salvaged a point for the Highlanders by converting a 96th-minute penalty.

The result means the tie is evenly balanced ahead of the second leg in Dingwall on Monday.

Both sides set out familiar systems: Livingston boss David Martindale employed a 4-3-3 (with defenders Wilson, McGowan and Brandon at the back), while Ross County’s Don Cowie used a 3-4-1-2 with wing-backs Randall and Ashworth supporting midfield.

Cowie’s three-centre-back formation and lack of wide attackers meant County struggled to create crossing opportunities.

Ross were also missing midfielder Noah Chilvers through injury, further reducing their creative spark.

By contrast, Livingston – relegated from the Premiership last season – fielded a side rich in top-flight experience.

As one analysis noted, “they face a Livingston side with lots of top-flight experience, who have already beaten them this season”.

In league terms, Ross County had finished 11th in the Premiership (entering the play-off) and needed to win the tie to avoid relegation, while Livingston were runners-up in the Championship, chasing an immediate return to the top flight.

The match began with Livingston controlling possession, edging roughly 55% to 45% overall.

The home team also outshot County 16–8 (both had four on target).

The breakthrough came just before half-time: defender Danny Wilson headed home from close range in stoppage time to give the Lions a deserved lead.

In his BBC Scotland interview afterwards, Wilson admitted he had “held on to the shirt a fraction too long” in the build-up, but felt Livingston still ought to be further ahead.

“I thought we did well and should’ve been a couple of goals ahead… We need to accept [the penalty] and move on,” he said, insisting “we’re right in the tie”.

Ross County came out more aggressively after the break. They earned a string of set-pieces – eventually winning 10 corners to Livingston’s five – and appeared the hungrier side.

But clear openings remained scarce. The defining moment arrived deep into stoppage time: referee John Beaton awarded a penalty after VAR spotted Wilson pulling on striker Jordan White’s shirt as a cross came in.

Hale calmly stepped up and smashed home the spot-kick to make it 1-1 in the 96th minute. Ronan Hale, reflecting the lifeline his goal provided, told BBC Scotland:

“We knew it was going to be a tough place to come. We stuck in there, we’ll take our luck… We dug in deep. Same again Monday, it’s going to be a gritty performance – we’ll give it our all”.

Live stats underlined the match pattern: Livingston’s 54.8% possession and higher shot count (16 attempts to 8) showed their dominance, yet the contest was decided by late-game drama.

Goalkeeper Jerome Prior made three saves, and both teams had four shots on target. Notably, County earned twice as many corners (10–5) as Livingston, reflecting their second-half pressure.

Aside from the penalty and goal, there were few other clear chances; the game was characterised by robust midfield battles and solid defensive work on both sides.

After the final whistle tempers flared on the touchline. Ross County’s coaching staff were confronted by a home supporter, and County chief executive Steven Ferguson later confirmed that a fan had spat at assistant manager Carl Tremarco.

Ferguson told BBC Scotland the incident was “totally unacceptable”:

“One of the Livingston supporters spat in the face of one of our members of staff… we’re not going to accept that. I understand frustration, but at no time is spitting on someone’s face acceptable”.

Martindale joined in condemning the alleged behaviour as “vile, really, really disappointing”. On the pitch, both managers took a pragmatic view of the score.

Martindale admitted the late penalty call was “a wee bit soft” but said he would “take it on the chin”, praising his players for giving everything.

Cowie, meanwhile, said his team “certainly competed” and that “it’s evenly poised now”, expecting a tough return leg.

With the tie finely balanced, attention now turns to Monday’s return game in Dingwall.

The second leg will determine which side plays in Scotland’s top flight next season.

A County win would secure Premiership survival, while a Livingston victory would see them promoted at the first attempt.

Both teams will review their performances and injury lists over the weekend – County still without Chilvers, and Livingston perhaps regretful at not putting the tie beyond doubt.

As Cowie noted, a strong Livingston side will be coming up to Dingwall, and neither team will concede easily.

The season – and long-term futures of both clubs – hangs in the balan.