Livingston fight back from two goals down to draw with ten-man Kilmarnock in Premiership opener

Newly promoted Livingston fought back from two goals down against ten-man Kilmarnock to take a point from the opening match of the new Premiership season.

The game at Rugby Park was the only 3pm kick-off on the opening day of the new campaign.

And fans were treated to a four-goal thriller, with a red card and VAR drama thrown in for good measure, as the sides played out a 2-2 draw.

Djenairo Daniels and David Watson both scored towards the end of the first half to give the home side a 2-0 lead going into the break.

But Livi were thrown a lifeline just after the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty for an incident that also saw Killie defender George Stanger sent off.

Robbie Muirhead converted his spot-kick to make it 2-1 going into the last 25 minutes against the ten-men.

Scott Pittman then grabbed the equaliser for David Martindale’s men with a close range finish with just two minutes of the game remaining.

Stevie May thought he had completed the comeback when he had the ball in the net in injury time, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build up.

Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell, taking charge of his first league game since being appointed in May, included six summer signings in his starting line-up, including former Livi pair Max Stryjek and Jamie Brandon.

Ex-Motherwell left-back Dominic Thompson, who signed on the morning of the match, was named among the subs and came on for his debut shortly before the visitors’ leveller.

Livi had a more familiar look, with just three recent recruits – Adam Montgomery, Mo Sylla and Graham Carey – in David Martindale’s XI.

With few clear chances for either side in the opening exchanges, Killie made the breakthrough in the 38th minute.

Daniels, who joined from Cork this summer, ran on to a through ball from Liam Polworth and held off Danny Wilson before blasting beyond the exposed Jerome Prior from just inside the box.

The celebrations were instantly cut short by an offside flag, but the on-field decision was overturned and the goal allowed to stand following a lengthy VAR check.

Having looked comfortable for much of the match, the Lions suddenly found themselves two down in the 42nd minute.

Brandon got in behind Montgomery on the right and drilled in a low cross that was pushed out by goalkeeper Prior only as far as Watson, who turned home the loose ball from six yards out.

The Lions emerged with renewed purpose for the start of the second half and got themselves right back in the game shortly after the hour.

Muirhead’s shirt was pulled in the box by Stanger as he tried to get a shot away and after referee Matthew MacDermid, who had initially waved play on, was asked to view the pitchside monitor, he flashed a red card at the Killie player and awarded a penalty. Muirhead fired his spot-kick emphatically past Stryjek.

Livi’s tails were up and they eventually levelled when Pittman rasped home from 10 yards out after good work by Lewis Smith on the right to set him up.