Nicky Devlin’s late goal earns Aberdeen victory at Livingston

Nicky Devlin scored a late winner for Aberdeen against his former club Livingston to propel the Dons within touching distance of the Premiership’s top six.

The visitors had been second-best for long spells but the wing-back grabbed the only goal of a hard-fought contest with a well-taken 80th-minute header.

The victory – a fifth from seven league outings – lifts Jimmy Thelin’s side within three points of sixth-placed Falkirk with a game in hand.

Livingston were left to rue not making their first-half pressure count after keeping Aberdeen camped deep in their own half.

The Lions remain rooted to the foot of the table, two points adrift of St Mirren.

The hosts were keen to take advantage of any lethargy felt by Aberdeen following their midweek Conference League draw at home to Armenian side Noah.

David Martindale’s side were quick out of the blocks and forward Steve May was first to threaten with a shot across goal before Mo Susoho stung the palms of Dimitar Mitov in the 15th minute.

The Lions then pounced on a poor kick-out by the Dons keeper but he redeemed himself by keeping Susoho’s effort out from close range after the on-loan Manchester City midfielder collected Tete Yengi’s pass.

Aberdeen were unable to keep the ball for any sustained period and had to rely on counter-attacks in their bid to cause any problems.

On one occasion, Jesper Karlsson cut along the edge of the box before getting a right-footed shot away and Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior was relieved to see the deflected shot drift just wide.

Livingston were presented with another chance to test Mitov on the half-hour mark when Yengi was brought down just outside the box.

May’s free-kick squeezed through the wall but Mitov got a strong hand to the effort down to his left.

There was a glimmer of hope for the visitors before the break when Karlsson sliced a shot wide before Adil Aouchiche fired over.

But that was not enough to satisfy the travelling fans and Aberdeen were booed off at the break.

The Pittodrie outfit were more competitive in the second half but it was Livingston who still looked threatening.

Mitov parried Yengi’s awkward low drive from outside the box before the visitors cleared the danger.

Defender Jack Milne was a relieved man moments later after he came within inches of scoring an own goal in chesting Sammy Lawal’s teasing cross out for a corner.

Aberdeen boss Thelin made five changes in the second half and those substitutions made the difference.

Just moments after coming on, Nicolas Milanovic forced a fine save from Prior.

And it was another of those arrivals that played his part in Aberdeen taking the lead with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Topi Keskinen picked out the unmarked Devlin at the back post and the wing-back sent a looping header back across goal and into the net.

After a lengthy VAR stoppage to check for offside the goal was finally given and Aberdeen held on to claim the win.