Livingston Cruise Past Partick Thistle to Secure Play-Off Final Spot
If Partick Thistle came into the Set Fare Arena hoping for a miracle, Livingston quickly put those dreams to bed. With a 2-0 lead already tucked away from the first leg, the home side wasted no time stamping their authority on the match and booking their ticket to the Scottish Premiership play-off final. The final score, a clinical 2-0 victory on the night, made the aggregate 4-0—a margin that barely flatters their control over both legs.
Just over 3,400 fans were in the stands, hoping to see some drama, but Livingston's game plan suffocated Thistle’s hopes. Early on, Thistle did throw some punches, with Brian Graham almost clawing them back into contention. His close-range shot seemed destined for the net until Livingston’s keeper Jérôme Prior, on top form all evening, pushed it wide. That was about as close as Thistle got to turning the tie around.
The momentum swung after that. Livingston, always composed, steadily took control and showed why they were never really in danger. Jamie Brandon broke the deadlock, showing sharpness in the box to make sure Livingston’s path stayed on course. Thistle, desperate to shift the pressure, ended up conceding again when Stevie May put the final nail in their season’s coffin. Each goal hit Thistle harder, and their push faded with every tick of the clock.
Livingston’s Command and What Comes Next
Over both legs of this semi-final, Livingston never looked likely to slip. The defense kept things clean, Prior was alert between the sticks, and up front, the attackers cashed in on their chances. The collective energy around the stadium reflected a side hungry for top-flight football, with every player stepping up when it counted most.
Thistle’s campaign ends quietly, with disappointment written on every face after the whistle. Their bright early moments in the second leg fizzled out almost as quickly as they arrived—evidence of just how tough it is to crack a well-organized Livingston team with momentum on their side.
Referee Kevin Clancy kept things tight, but the talking points were always going to be on the pitch: whether Livingston could back up their first-leg win, and if Thistle might find a way back. Now there’s just one big question on everyone’s lips: who will Livingston face in the final, Dundee or Ross County? Whoever wins that battle will run into a Livingston squad that seems to have timed its run to perfection, putting together a string of top performances right when it matters most.
For fans, there’s a real buzz. This run of form has Livingston looking good value for that coveted promotion spot. Eyes now turn to the final—a match that promises tension, nerves, and a shot at the Scottish Premiership on the line. One thing is sure: whoever comes next, they’ll be facing a Livingston side running hot and hungry for a return to Scotland’s top tier, with Scottish Premiership football tantalizingly close.
