Livingston boss hails stunning Shinnie strike and says strength on bench key to late win over Airdrie

The Lions left it late but came up with a special winner to down the Diamonds

Livingston boss David Martindale admits the strength of his bench was key as he hailed super sub Andrew Shinnie for his dramatic injury time winner that sank rock-bottom Airdrie.

The Lions looked like they would have to settle for a point after depleted Airdrie saw Aaron Reid quickly cancel out Stephen Kelly's 29th minute opener in West Lothian.

But 88th minute sub Liam Sole set up fellow replacement Shinnie to lash home an unstoppable 25-yard strike that earned a fourth win in six games for the unbeaten Lions.

And Martindale said: "The more the game went on, players went down with cramp and Airdrie had to make changes, which weakened them. Rhys' bench was light and when he made changes which probably didn't help him, but when we were making changes, we're bringing on Shinnie who has played in the English Championship and the Scottish Premiership.

"That really helped us. It probably comes down to the strength of both benches. To come off the bench and execute a finish like that, at that point in the game, was brilliant. It shows his class.

"We put Shins on and the amount of times I've seen Shins do that in training, coming in off that left-hand side, is unbelievable.

"Airdrie didn't look like a team sitting bottom of the league. The more the game went on, players went down with cramp and Airdrie had to make changes, which weakened them."

Airdrie were only able to field four outfield players on their bench but more than held their own and also had an opportunity to win it before Shinnie strike when Chris Mochrie was denied by Jerome Prior.

Livi opened the scoring in 29 minutes when Robbie Muirhead weaved his way forward before laying the ball off to Scott Pittman, who then nudged the ball right for Kelly to fire a low strike into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

However, Airdrie found an immediate response. A good move down the right worked the ball to Dylan MacDonald and his first-time cross was caught sweetly on the volley by Reid as he raced into the box, sending a fine effort soaring into the net past a helpless Prior.

With time running out, Sole laid off Shinnie and he let fire from 25-yards to find the top corner past the helpless dive of Murray Johnston to snatch the spoils.

The Lions are now within a point of second place Falkirk and four behind leaders Ayr United, with two games in hand, going into next week's clash away to Partick Thistle.

Martindale added: "I'm not really bothered by what happens at Falkirk or Ayr, or any other club. I'm just focused on our club and trying to win the next game of football."

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