Livingston eased into the final of the William Hill Premiership play-offs with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory over Partick Thistle.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg, progression for David Martindale’s side was rarely in doubt after Jamie Brandon powered them ahead five minutes before half-time.
Stevie May’s sensational half-volley midway through the second half extinguished any hope of a Jags comeback.
The Lions will now face the second-bottom side in the Premiership.
Their opponents will be determined on Sunday, with Ross County, who are currently occupying the play-off spot, and Dundee battling it out to avoid a nerve-shattering conclusion to the season.
Thistle were presented with an early chance after Scott Pittman hauled down Ben Stanway on the edge of the area.
Steven Lawless took the resulting free-kick, but fizzed his effort high and wide of the target.
Livi were enjoying the bulk of the possession, though it was the visitors that were enjoying the better of the opportunities.
Logan Chalmers burst forward before sending his cross inches over the head of the onrushing Aidan Fitzpatrick, then Stanway’s long-range effort was deflected past a post after striking Danny Wilson.
The home side had their first effort on goal in the 23rd minute, when Wilson’s header looped narrowly over.
It had been a quiet start to the evening for the goalkeepers, though both were called into action in the space of 60 seconds as the game swung from end to end.
Lewis Smith’s curling shot forced a good stop from Thistle’s David Mitchell, while Jerome Prior comfortably clutched Brian Graham’s attempt.
The opening goal arrived in the 40th minute — as Livi struck a vital blow to move further ahead in the tie.
Livi skipper Brandon beat Stuart Bannigan to a loose ball, before surging forward and firing home an angled drive that found the net despite the best efforts of the Jags keeper.
David Martindale withdrew Brandon and Robbie Muirhead at the break, with both players only one booking away from suspension.
Thistle were facing a mountain to climb. However, they demonstrated plenty of attacking intent in the early stages of the second half.
Kanayo Megwa’s cross skipped off Macaulay Tait before creeping past a post, and Stanway stung the palms of Prior from a tight angle.
The game was put beyond doubt in the 67th minute. May met Pittman’s flick with a sublime half-volley that left Mitchell with no chance.
A frustrating night for Thistle player-boss Graham was summed up as his free-kick nestled in the side-netting.
His side battled valiantly to reach the play-offs and then overturn a quarter-final deficit against Ayr, but would find reaching the final a step too far.
David Martindale believes the pressure is off his Livingston side after they booked their place in the Premiership play-off final with a comfortable victory over Partick Thistle.The Lions progressed 4-0 on aggregate, securing a second 2-0 win with Jamie Brandon’s opener added to by Stevie May’s stunning half-volley.They will now face either Dundee or Ross County over two legs, with the...
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca pointed to Marc Cucurella’s Barcelona connections after the defender headed the only goal against Manchester United to keep his side’s Champions League hopes in their own hands.The 26-year-old got on the end of Reece James’ cross in the 71st minute to power home his seventh goal of the season and rescue the Blues just as two vital points looked to ...
Walsall boss Mat Sadler said guiding the Saddlers to a play-off final is the proudest moment of his footballing career after they completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield.Late goals from Charlie Lakin and Levi Amantchi – with an Armando Dobra consolation for the Spireites in between – earned Walsall a 2-1 victory on the night.And it provided a measure of redemption for a side wh...
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over the future of Emiliano Martinez after the goalkeeper was in tears following his side’s 2-0 win over Europa League finalists Tottenham.The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer and he was emotional at full-time of Villa’s final home game of the season.Asked about the 32-year-old...
Marc Cucurella was once again Chelsea’s hero as his headed goal earned a potentially season-defining 1-0 win over Manchester United just as his side’s Champions League hopes looked to be slipping away.With 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge the Blues were set to head into the final day of the Premier League season with their top-five fate out of their hands, with more poor finishi...
Walsall booked a place in the League Two play-off final by completing a 4-1 aggregate victory over Chesterfield with a 2-1 win at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.Holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg, the Saddlers defended resolutely and effectively sealed progress nine minutes from time through Charlie Lakin’s close-range finish.Armando Dobra netted a stoppage-time Chesterfield consolation but...
East Fife secured promotion to Scottish League One after a 1-1 draw at Annan clinched them a 4-3 aggregate win in their two-legged play-off final.Dick Campbell’s Fifers, who won the first leg 3-2 on Tuesday night at Bayview Stadium, fell behind on the night to an early opener from Tommy Goss, but Adam Laaref’s first-half equaliser proved decisive.Annan, without suspended pair Scott Hoo...
Aston Villa boosted their hopes of a Champions League return after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham, who had more than one eye on Wednesday’s Europa League final.Villa’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.This was probably the biggest ho...
Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign unwanted Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku in the upcoming summer transfer window.The 27-year-old looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to establish himself under Enzo Maresca.Nkunku has featured primarily in the Europa Conference League but has managed to score 14 goals and provide five assists in his 42 games across all co...
Real Madrid have agreed a £50 million deal to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen with the highly-rated youngster set to undergo his medical.Per Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have activated the £50 million release clause in the 20-year-old’s Bournemouth contract.The Spanish giants look set to beat several Premier League sides to his signing with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal al...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 Man Utd are losing the feeling of being a massive club – Ruben Amorim
- 3 Eddie Howe tells Newcastle to ‘drive forward’ and seal Champions League spot
- 4 Rangers thump Aberdeen to end five-match winless streak at Ibrox
- 5 Newcastle beat 10-man Chelsea to take step towards Champions League spot
- 6 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 7 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 8 Albanian Laura Woods goes braless in pink top
- 9 AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson wary of Notts County fightback in second leg
- 10 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate