Livingston will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their William Hill Premiership play-off semi-final after a well-earned victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
The Lions struck against the run of play to break the deadlock when Scott Pittman slammed home the opener, six minutes before half-time.
Danny Wilson doubled their advantage seven minutes after the break to leave the Jags facing an uphill battle when they visit West Lothian on Friday evening.
David Martindale’s side enjoyed a 10-day break prior to returning to action in Glasgow. In contrast, Thistle were playing their third game in the space of a week.
The visitors looked the brighter of the sides as they threatened in the opening minutes. Cristian Montano’s first effort was blocked by David Mitchell, before Dan O’Reilly headed the Colombian’s goal-bound drive – from the rebound – off the line.
It took until the 24th minute for the Jags to register their first attempt on goal, with Logan Chalmers firing harmlessly into the grasp of Jerome Prior.
Three minutes later, Brian Graham spurned a golden opportunity after he flicked the ball wide from four yards following great work from Robbie Crawford to outmuscle Jamie Brandon.
Thistle grew in confidence as Crawford’s angled drive on the half-hour mark drifted inches wide, with the Livi goalkeeper scrambling.
However, the home side would be dealt a blow with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Montano released Robbie Fraser down the left and his cut-back was perfect for Pittman to steer the ball home at the near post.
Matters nearly worsened for Thistle on the stroke of half-time when Jamie Low’s header fell way short of reaching Mitchell and was seized upon by Montano.
Fortunately for the 17-year-old Low, his goalkeeper managed to block the initial strike and Lee Ashcroft then made a vital clearance from Stephen Kelly.
Partick were forced into a change at half-time, Alex Jakubiak replacing the injured Luke McBeth — but it was the visitors that were on the ascendancy.
There were opportunities for Montano and then Wilson prior to the goal that doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute.
Kelly’s free-kick was only partially cleared into the path of Wilson, who smashed the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.
All the momentum was now with Livingston, who were looking to put the tie out of sight.
With 54 minutes on the clock, Mitchell came up with another important save to deny Pittman his second goal of the evening.
Jags co-boss Graham headed over Low’s corner as they searched for a way back in the contest.
Livi were still carrying a threat of their own, Kelly’s shot in the 75th minute sailed inches over the top.
With eight minutes remaining, a superb burst forward from Ashcroft ended with the defender thundering his shot against the crossbar.
Graham passed up a huge opportunity in added time, turning over Chalmers’ cross from close-range — meaning Thistle will have it all to do if they are to save their promotion dreams.
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