East Stirlingshire 0 Livingston 2

Irn Bru Scottish League Third Division, Saturday 20 February 2010 - Ochilview

It's strange how the most eagerly anticipated games can turn out to be hugely disappointing. Shire fans had been looking forward to this fixture for weeks and the opportunity to throw down the challenge for the league title against a team who were in the First Division this time last year. Three times the normal crowd headed for Larbert on a bright but cold afternoon, full of confidence and rightly so. Shire had won their previous eight games and were tucked in behind Livingston in the league, having played a couple of games fewer. Alas, high expectations were somewhat misplaced.

Shire paid their full-time opponents far too much respect, particularly in a hugely disappointing first half. They seemed almost in awe of the West Lothian team who dicated play from the off and it was no surprise when Livvy took the lead after just fifteen minutes when Halliday nodded Robbie Winter's cross past Barclay. In truth, Gary Bollan's team should have score more goals in the opening forty-five minutes and Shire manager Jim McInally must have been relieved to reach half-time just one goal behind.

McInally certainly said things at the break because Shire started the second period in much more determined fashion. However, hopes of a fightback receded when Michael Bolochoweckyj reacted angrily to Winters' theatrical dive after a challenge. Bolochoweckyj was booked for the challenge and lost the plot by angrily lashing out at Winters - referee Beaton had no choice but to flash another yellow card and therefore a red to the Shire defender. Winters, the former Dundee United and Aberdeen striker, clearly knew what he was doing and the Shire man's dismissal meant an uphill struggle for the home team.

This was emphasised when Winters added a second goal for the visitors a few minutes later. Yet, Shire never gave up and Simon Lynch passed up a glorious chance late on which, had he taken, would have given the home team a lifeline. Truth was, however, the better team deserved their victory and are now seven points clear of The Shire.

Jim McInally won't be giving up on lifting the league title, however. If Shire win their two games in hand they will be just a point behind Livingston - and have still to make two visits to Almondvale. When they go there, however, they will need to have the belief they can defeat the full-time leaders of the league.