Archives | Dunfermline 0 Livingston 0

William Hill Championship
Saturday 17th October 2026
KDM Group East End Park

Dunfermline`s search for an open-play goal stretched to 208 minutes as they were held 0-0 by Livingston at KDM Group East End Park. The Pars have scored just seven times in nine games and remain nine points off the league leaders, badly needing wins from their games in hand against Partick Thistle and Stenhousemuir.

Dunfermline hosted Livingston hoping to avenge a 2-0 defeat at the Set Fare Arena in August. Neil Lennon`s side had spent the week working on their finishing after dominating the 1-1 draw at Ayr United, and a win would have lifted them above their visitors, who started the day level on points.

With Allan Oyirwoth out following his concussion at Ayr, Keith Bray came in for an otherwise unchanged side. Livingston, beaten 2-1 at home by Partick Thistle, were hoping to bounce back under caretaker manager Davie Martindale, who made three changes: Cameron Palmer, Jack Wilkie and Graham Carey replaced Tyrese Sinclair and Bruce Anderson, both on the bench, and Cristian Montaño, who was absent altogether.

Alfons Amade got the game under way, with the Pars attacking the goal in front of the sun-kissed travelling support in the Vertu Community Stand. The home side served notice early. In 6th minute Andrew Tod created an opening for Olamilekan Adams, who teed up Bray, but Livi keeper Jerome Prior saved a shot that lacked power. A minute later Tod`s break down the left produced a strike towards the far post, where Adams flew in but failed to connect.

Livingston`s first real moment came in 10th minute, when an inswinging corner from the right was headed away. Dunfermline remained the better side. Soon afterwards a misplaced Livi pass sent Adams away from halfway. He laced a pass into the path of Josh Cooper, whose shot from 15 yards was denied by the right post.

Livi showed they were just as eager in 17th minute, when a Wilkie cross from the left was similarly too strong for Scott Pittman at the far post. Minutes later former Par Robbie Muirhead curled a powerful effort towards the top left corner, but wide.

In 25th minute Adams tricked Brooklyn Kabongolo and appeared to open up space, but the 22-year-old, signed in August from Czech side Ceske Budejovice, ended his break with a cross that Ryan McGowan easily intercepted. Palmer then launched a long-range shot that was deflected for a corner, which Aston Oxborough punched clear.

Skipper Robbie Fraser`s surging run ended with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that came back off the right post. Macleod`s follow-up was saved by Prior`s outstretched left foot, giving Dunfermline their first corner of the game in the 32nd minute.

That corner and two first-half free kicks all failed to deliver anything into the Livi box. The Pars came closest, with Toulon-born Prior making two good saves and the woodwork denying them twice, but neither side could find a way through.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Livingston 0

Things did not look much different after the break. Both sides had opportunities but neither could take them, and by 58th minute the home support were roaring on the black and white. Macleod made ground and shot wide left from the edge of the box, then Dylan Lobban set up Tod, whose effort from 28 yards was blocked. Macleod was then brought down, giving the Pars a free kick 23 yards out on the right, but Macleod sent it high over both the Livi wall and the crossbar.

Livingston came closer with Muirhead shooting wide left on the hour and Palmer going even nearer, though also wide left. The Fifers responded when Macleod supplied Bray for a right-footed shot from 25 yards that was blocked. With the match in stalemate, Lennon made a double substitution: Oli Shaw replaced top scorer Josh Cooper, and Irishman Kian Corbally came on for Macleod.

Two Livingston corners from the left, in 68th and 70th minutes, raised the hopes of the 224 away fans but those ended when Kabongolo headed softly into Oxborough`s hands. The home fans then thought their moment had come in 74th minute when Adams burst through on goal, but he elected not to shoot, much to their disquiet, and his pass towards Tod was intercepted.

The better chances of the final fifteen minutes fell to Livi, but Dunfermline`s defence held. A great track back by Sam Cleall-Harding denied substitute Bruce Anderson, though the on-loan Dundee United player appeared to pick up an awkward injury and was replaced by Aaron Donnelly for the final minutes.

The only positive of the closing stages was the first appearance of striker Olly Thomas since his signing from Bristol City. With striking proving a recurring problem, the 21-year-old`s return may help solve this unwanted goalless habit.

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