Pictures by Steven Carrie Photography www.stevenc.co.uk

LIVINGSTON almost blew a three-goal lead in a windswept Almondvale.

But the second-half introduction of home-on-loan hero Colin McMenamin provided The Lions with enough of a lift to grab the one-goal advantage needed to secure all three points.

The fans chanted McMenamin's name at regular intervals throughout the first half. However, Livi seemed to have put the game beyond any danger with three first-half strikes, two from Dorrans and the other from MacKay.

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and could have scored in ten minutes when Livi keeper Liberda palmed the ball over the bar from a free kick.

Livi had chances too, but Liberda became frustrated with his defence for allowing Stirling too much time on the ball and too many sights of goal.

A 35-yard wonder strike from Dorrans gave Livingston the lead in 24 minutes after Snodgrass and McKay had earlier missed chances for the opener. The Lions kept up the pressure and, in 33 minutes, a free-flowing move ended with Dave McKay striking the ball into the net to put Livingston two ahead. A minute later, Livingston were three ahead, with Dorrans firing in his second

The game looked over. And if similar thoughts were going through the heads of the Livi players, they were soon dismissed when Stirling scored almost direct from the off in the second half. Just a few minutes later, the visitors had narrowed the leeway to one.

With Liberda fumbling crosses in the wind, Stirling always threatened. And Lions fans feared the worst when the visitors equalised in the 62nd minute.

Stirling looked more likely to earn the winner, but the introduction of Colin McMenamin provided a timely lift and he was instrumental in Livingston's winner when he passed to Snodgrass who swept the ball to Dorrans for the winger to fire home his third.

Livingston survived a few scares thereafter and couldn't have complained had Stirling equalised for a second time, albeit the visitors were down to 10 men by this time. The final whistle brought a welcome relief to the home support.

But it was the most exciting game seen at Almondvale in a long time and the three points were a much-needed bonus.