George Stanger’s second-half crimson card proved pivotal as 10-man Kilmarnock let a
two-goal lead slip to attract 2-2 with newly-promoted Livingston in a dramatic
opening match of the brand new Premiership marketing campaign.
In the one 3pm kick-off of the season’s first day, new-look Killie seemed heading in the right direction for victory after strikes from Djenairo Daniels and David Watson within the closing levels of the primary half.
However a Sixty fourth-minute flashpoint introduced Livi proper again into the match as Stanger, who joined from native rivals Ayr this summer season, was despatched off for the hosts for denying a goal-scoring alternative and Robbie Muirhead scored the ensuing penalty.
The guests capitalised on their extra-man benefit as Scott Pittman equalised within the 86th minute.
Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell, taking cost of his first league sport since being appointed in Might, included six summer season signings in his beginning line-up, together with former Livi pair Max Stryjek and Jamie Brandon.
Ex-Motherwell left-back Dominic Thompson, who signed on the morning of the match, was named among the many subs and got here on for his debut shortly earlier than the guests’ leveller.
Livi had a extra acquainted look, with simply three current recruits – Adam Montgomery, Mo Sylla and Graham Carey – in David Martindale’s XI.
With few clear possibilities for both aspect within the opening exchanges, Killie made the breakthrough within the thirty eighth minute.
Daniels, who joined from Cork this summer season, ran on to a by way of ball from Liam Polworth and held off Danny Wilson earlier than blasting past the uncovered Jerome Prior from simply contained in the field.
The celebrations had been immediately lower brief by an offside flag, however the on-field choice was overturned and the aim allowed to face following a prolonged VAR verify.
Having seemed snug for a lot of the match, the Lions immediately discovered themselves two down within the forty second minute.
Brandon obtained in behind Montgomery on the fitting and drilled in a low cross that was pushed out by goalkeeper Prior solely so far as Watson, who turned dwelling the unfastened ball from six yards out.
David Watson doubled Kilmarnock’s lead towards Livingston
The Lions emerged with renewed function for the beginning of the second half and obtained themselves proper again within the sport shortly after the hour.
Muirhead’s shirt was pulled within the field by Stanger as he tried to get a shot away and after referee Matthew MacDermid, who had initially waved play on, was requested to view the pitchside monitor, he flashed a crimson card on the Killie participant and awarded a penalty. Muirhead fired his spot-kick emphatically previous Stryjek.
Livi’s tails had been up they usually finally levelled when Pittman rasped dwelling from 10 yards out after good work by Lewis Smith on the fitting to set him up.
Kettlewell sad at ‘mushy’ crimson card
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Kilmarnock head coach Stuart Kettlewell makes his emotions identified on George Stanger’s crimson card. His aspect threw away a two-goal lead to attract towards Livingston within the Premiership opener
Kilmarnock supervisor Stuart Kettlewell talking to Sky Sports activities Information:
“I do have complaints about the red card.
“From my angle, from the technical space, I truly felt that Muirhead had the preliminary pull on George. If we deem each pulls the identical, then is the foul earlier within the incident?
“I do want my centre-back to deal with the ball, I don’t think it’s going at enough pace to guarantee that it’s going back to the goalkeeper.
“However even at that, is George’s contact sufficient for Muirhead to go down within the vogue that he does? Is it a crimson card? We’ll all debate it, some will suppose it’s. I most likely sit within the camp of it being mushy, I really feel it is actually, actually mushy.
“But once you put yourself into that position, it becomes a difficult one to argue.
“The sport hinges on that one second, in my view.”
Robbie Muirhead’s penalty pulled a aim again for Livingston
Livingston boss David Martindale talking to Sky Sports activities Information:
“I probably would have taken a point before the game,” he stated. “In the first half, they took their moments better than we took our moments, they sat in the mid-to-low block and then hit us on the counter a couple of times, which was
poor from us.
“However I used to be fairly pleased with how the boys bounced again, they confirmed actual resilience.
“Overall I’m fairly happy with the performance, but in a couple of key moments we shot ourselves in the foot.”
