Aberdeen 1-2 Livingston: Visitors win despite David Martindale absence

Livingston overcame the illness-enforced absence of manager David Martindale to earn an impressive Scottish Premiership win at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen – who are now just five points above the relegation play-off place – were already two down when Ross McCrorie was sent off, with Lewis Ferguson’s penalty coming too late for the hosts to salvage a point.

Jim Goodwin’s side have only won one of their last 14 league games and look to be in a three-way fight with St Mirren and St Johnstone to avoid finishing 11th.

Martindale, 47, is recovering well after being taken to hospital on Friday night with severe abdominal pain.

Assistant Marvin Bartley was in charge for the club’s first bottom-six fixture, albeit the former midfielder was confined to the stand as he himself is serving a touchline ban.

The opening 40 minutes were devoid of anything noteworthy bar a sprinkling of Aberdeen chances, but the last five minutes of the half were action-packed.

Max Stryjek comfortably caught a McCrorie header from a corner before the goalkeeper charged out with the ball and caught Vicente Besuijen in the face with the ball and his forearm.

Aberdeen were left perplexed as Besuijen was booked for arguing, along with Stryjek, but no penalty was awarded.

Moments later, Livingston broke the deadlock against the run of play. Odin Bailey met a Joel Nouble cross with his head but, although Joe Lewis pulled off an impressive save, Devlin reacted quickest at the back post to complete a smart finish.

Aberdeen were on top for most of the first half despite their lack of clear chances and continued this trend into the second 45.

Besuijen’s attempt was well struck before left-back Jack MacKenzie’s shot was saved by Stryjek as the home side huffed and puffed in their attempts to get back into the game.

Jonny Hayes’ dipping effort crept narrowly over, but Goodwin’s side were unable to level before Livingston extended their lead. Jack McMillan was tripped by Funso Ojo and Holt side-footed the spot-kick high into the net for his first of the season.

Aberdeen were left dismayed once again as a second yellow card was flashed at McCrorie for a lunging tackle on Holt and a late Ferguson spot-kick, after he was dragged down in the box, was too little, too late for the home side.

Man of the match – Jason Holt

What did we learn?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Christian Ramirez starting on the bench seems an odd decision after the glut of chances Aberdeen passed up.

Every time they ventured forward they looked threatening, but toothless when it mattered, and in need of their talisman to get on the end of multiple searching balls.

Livingston manager Martindale has always been adamant that his side’s main objective to stay in the league and avoiding the automatic drop – as this result means they have done – is a key step towards that goal.

They are now 10 points clear of St Johnstone in 11th with four games to go, and are within touching distance of playing Premiership football next season.

What’s next?

Aberdeen host Dundee next Saturday, while Livingston are at home to Hibernian (both 15:00 BST).