FOOTBALL: SCOTTISH DIVISION ONE SPECIAL - LIVVY'S AMAZING RISE IS

LIVINGSTON clinched the Bells First Division title in dramatic fashion with a hard fought victory over rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Inverness in what proved to be an engrossing affair.

The newly crowned champions showed why they have been the most consistent side throughout the season and held their nerve after losing an early counter before clawing their way back to take the title in style.

The Inverness side have proved to be no slouches this term and are now regarded as one of the best sides in the First Division and they made the visitors battle all the way to take the points and the title in what eventually proved to be an engrossing affair.

On the final whistle the large travelling support stayed behind and congregated in front of the main stand in an effort to acclaim their heroes.

The opening exchanges saw the Inverness side hold the upper hand and the looked the likelier to score as early as the third minute when Paul Sheerin forced Javier Broto into a superb full length save to deny the homesters.

At the other end David Bingham looked lively and came close to firing the East Lothian side ahead but his final effort crept agonisingly passed the far post.

After 16 minutes the deadlock was finally broken as the home side swept in front.

A defence splitting pass from Charlie Christy released Martin Bavidge on the edge of the box who was hauled down by Broito with referee Kaney pointing immediately to the spot. And when the dust had settled Paul Sheerin stepped up to crack home the resulting spot kick.

On the half hour the match was back on level terms when Graham Coughlin out jumped the home defence to head against the far upright following a Barry Wilson corner and David Fernandes reacted quickly to slam home the rebound from close range.

With three minutes of the first half remaining the visitors were in front when McCaffrey was adjudged to have brought down Fernandes and from the resulting kick Barry Wilson sent Calder the wrong way to give the visitors a narrow interval lead.

Eight minutes after the interval the visitors increased their advantage to the personal tragedy of Stewart McCaffrey who in attempting to clear a Darren Jackson through pass only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net to give give the visitors a two- goal cushion.

In a stirring finish the home side reduced the leeway in the final minute again from the penalty spot after Cochlin was adjudged to have halted substitute Kevin Byers" progress with Sheerin stepping up to slam home his second goal of the game.

In the closing seconds Broto had to look lively to hold a dangerous looking cross from youngster Neil McDonald but on the final whistle the visitors had the champagne corks popping in the knowledge that the championship had been secured with Premier Division football going to Almondvale next season.

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