Ross County 0-2 Livingston: Bruce Anderson double earns first win since November

Bruce Anderson’s second-half double lifted Livingston to fifth in the Scottish Premiership as they stung Ross County twice on the counter.

Three minutes later Anderson had his second, picking the ball up on the halfway line and charging towards the County box before firing low into the net.

The win is Livingston’s first since 8 November and moves them above St Mirren, but County remain rooted to the bottom, three points from safety having played two games more.

Both sides were looking to address rotten runs of form, with neither having won for over eight weeks. The first half showed why. Although there was plenty of effort, there was very little quality on show in either box.

The only glimmer of hope came when Andrew Shinnie buried Anderson’s through ball, but the offside flag went up straight away. The VAR check revealed it was the right decision – by a matter of inches.

In the second-half, County began to pepper the Livingston goal and both Ross Callachan and David Cancola should have scored.

The former received the ball unmarked in the box, swiveling and driving a shot straight at the legs of Shamal George, before Cancola showed excellent composure in the box before passing wide from six yards out.

George was then alert to tip a Keith Watson effort over, and it looked more than likely that County would eventually break the deadlock.

But it was Livingston who nudged themselves ahead when Nicky Devlin and Bradley surged up the right, with the former Hibs winger cutting back to Anderson, who netted with composure.

Three minutes later, they had a second. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, Anderson had one thing in his mind, charging straight at Connor Randall before shifting the ball onto his right and lacing it low into the bottom corner.

With that, County were practically out of the game and were denied a tense finale when Jordan White’s header was ruled out because Callachan was offside in the build-up.

Player of the Match – Bruce Anderson (Livingston)

County made to pay as Anderson shows killer instinct – analysis

As they have done on numerous occasions this season – much like last term – County will leave that game wondering how they didn’t win it.

They were piling the pressure on Livingston but they could not find a clinical touch in the box. Callachan and Cancola, in particular, were clearly feeling merciful.

Anderson showed them what they were missing. He did well for the first, stretching as the cross was played behind him.

The second was even better. There was only one thing in his mind when he picked the ball up – get to the box. He did that, and then some.

This is worrying for County. In periods of such dominance, they need to put teams to the sword.

What’s next?

County travel to Motherwell next Saturday, as Livingston go to Perth to face St Johnstone (both 15:00 GMT).