The Thistle Archive

Livingston completed an aggregate victory in the Premiership play-off final to secure successive promotions and relegate Partick Thistle. In a first half of few chances, Thistle's Blair Spittal had a low strike saved as the Jags tried to overturn their 2-1 first-leg deficit. Keaghan Jacobs' sweeping shot put Livi in front on the day after the break. And goalkeeper Neil Alexander saved a late Conor Sammon penalty to make sure of victory for David Hopkin's side. The Championship runners-up, who won last season's League One title, return to the top flight after a 12-year absence and become the first side since Hamilton Academical in 2014 to win promotion via the Premiership play-off final. Alan Archibald's Thistle go back to the second tier five years on from their promotion and just a year after finishing sixth in the top league.

The Jags knew all the pressure was on them to get at least one goal without reply just to take the tie to extra-time. The opening 20 minutes were frantic with the home side looking nervous and both Christie Elliott and Adam Barton finding their way into the book of referee John Beaton. Eventually, though, Archibald's side found their way and were able to force a sustained spell of pressure, Chris Erskine's header from a Stevie Lawless cross coming close. Livingston looked content to allow the home side possession until the final third of the pitch before then applying the pressure required to keep their hosts at bay. But with the home side pushing forward gaps began to appear in the Thistle defence. Jordan Thompson had a shot blocked by the legs of Barton and, after a slip by Andrew McCarthy, Livi midfielder Shaun Byrne found himself with space in front of goal but delayed his effort and the chance was gone. On the stroke of half-time, Spittal drove forward and fired in an effort from the edge of the box that 40-year-old Alexander dived low to his left to tip the ball around the post.

Just 30 seconds into the second period Livingston gave themselves extra breathing space in the tie. Lee Miller flicked on a long throw into the box with the ball falling at the feet of Byrne. The midfielder cushioned the ball into the path of the advancing Jacobs, who drilled his low shot beyond Tomas Cerny. The 2,000-plus fans who had made the short trip along the M8 were now in full voice as they roared their team on. Archibald soon looked at the bench with Sammon given the nod and McCarthy making way as Thistle looked to find a way back into the tie. Hopkin responded with Thompson replaced with the fresh legs of Nicky Cadden and his trio of central defenders - Craig Halkett, Alan Lithgow and Declan Gallagher - were throwing their bodies in front of anything that came their way. The home side were now committing more and more players forward and both Lawless and Spittal had long-range efforts that ended up in the arms of Alexander, who denied Lawless again moments later. Many of the home fans had already made their way towards the exit before the board showing four additional minutes was raised. But the drama was far from over when the home side were awarded a penalty after a handball by Lithgow. However, Alexander dived to his right to make a terrific stop from Sammon's spot-kick and when referee Beaton blew the full-time whistle it was the Livingston fans who were able to celebrate.

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

I'm so disappointed for everyone at the football club, and our fans. We deserved nothing from the game today, to be honest. The play-off gives you a second chance to stay in the Premiership and we can't even score. That's the biggest disappointment, but congratulations to Livingston. They deserve it. I feel the hurt and the pain of everyone involved in our football club. There are a lot of good people and the whole club will feel it. [on his own future…] It's a bit raw at the moment. It's not about individuals, it's about the club. We'll sit down and there's going to be changes. We know that - we'll see what the week brings. We'll have to rebuild - I think we have 15 or 16 players out of contract; others in contract have clauses as well to protect the club financially. It's important that the club's protected first and foremost. We've had five good seasons, no four, and we obviously go down. But we've enjoyed it and the club's moved on both on and off the pitch. There's a lot of talking to be done and a lot of changes at the club - it's important that we get it right.

Livingston manager David Hopkin:

I didn't expect it to happen and this is the hardest way to go up. We do things the hard way here, but I've got to give great credit to the players. They were magnificent for me. It's a magnificent achievement - two promotions in two years is fantastic. You can see today, I think the club deserves it. We've worked hard to try to get the fans back. It's fantastic. Hopefully, next year they'll all turn up and that'll be us. I'm delighted for everybody connected with the club, delighted for my family. We'll have a right good night tonight and football's out my mind until next week.

bbc.com

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ARCHIBALD'S TAME THISTLE SIDE DESERVEDLY RELEGATED

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