A last gasp goal by Myles Hippolyte was the difference between the two sides in the second round of the League Cup in a game that won`t live long in the memory.

 

The two sides were becoming sick of the sight of each other after this was the third meeting since the season started in a 4-3 Petrofac Training Cup victory for Livingston.

 

The Doonhamers failed to avenge that opening day defeat on Saturday at Palmerston as 10-man Queens drew with the Lions 1-1. After nine goals being scored in the previous two games, more of the same was expected. However, after 120 long minutes, even a goal seemed too much to ask for.

 

With a place in the next round of the League Cup at stake, McIntyre`s men were determined to make it third time lucky at the Energy Assets Arena but Queens named a side which looked favoured for a defensive-minded display. Kevin Dzierzawski, Lewis Kidd and John Baird were the three changes made by McIntyre with Iain Russell and Kidd often supporting lone striker Baird.

 

The game did very little to excite the 620 fans inside the stadium on a sunny night in Livingston and the opening half hour was littered with misplaced passes and route one football. Half-chances fell to Glen and White of Livi and Baird registered the only shot on target in the entire first half for Queens with a weak header in a dismal opening spell.

 

Burton O`Brien almost gave the hosts the lead with a spectacular free-kick but a relieved Zander Clark watched the ball skim the top of his net and go behind for a goal kick. Clark was then called in to action five minutes before half time as Keaghan Jacobs drilled the ball from outside the box but the ‘keeper produced a fine save to keep the game goalless at the half.

 

The second half continued as the first half finished - with Clark keeping Queens in the game. Keaghan Jacobs again rifled the ball from 20 yards out and the ball snuck through the Queens defenders and Clark`s reactions kicked in to deny the Livi midfielder. White followed up with a rebound which was kept out by the former St Johnstone man and even though the flag was up, Clark had no way of knowing and produced two great stops.

 

The game played out with very little chances being created as both sides were missing a killer pass and a touch of class - the game was destined for extra time.

 

Another thirty minutes of football was on the cards at the Energy Assets Arena and the 620 in attendance were hopeful that it couldn`t be any worse than the first 90.

 

Michael McKenna had the first opportunity of the opening half of extra time but he ballooned his effort well over the bar. Talbot followed soon after but the only person in danger from his strike was the ballboy in the stand behind Clark.

Queens best chance of the game came just in to the second half of extra time as Iain Russell was through one on one and looked to slot the ball past Jamieson but the Livi stopper produced a great save. Clark refused to be outdone, however, and a minute later he pulled off an equally stunning save to deny Mark Burchill the winner.

 

But Clark couldn`t do anything to stop the winning goal from Myles Hippolyte two minutes from time. Burchill squared the ball to the striker who was standing unmarked in the six yard box and he fired Livingston in to the next round of the cup.

 

It was the cruelest way for Queens to lose in a match that will not go down in the history books as a classic.

 

McIntyre`s men now turn their attention to Ibrox on Saturday as they take on Rangers in the Championship.