David Martindale urges Livingston to curb gung-ho instincts despite cup triumph

David Martindale has urged Livingston to study to rein of their attacking instincts after watching them attain the quarter-finals of the Viaplay Cup.

An early aim from Joel Nouble and a second-half strike from Cristian Montaño eased the Lions previous Championship hopefuls Ayr United with a 2-0 win at Almondvale.

However Martindale reckons his aspect ought to have coped higher with being two objectives forward within the closing levels, when Jack Bryden handed up a gilt-edged alternative to get Ayr again into the tie.

He desires his gamers to mood their pure enthusiasm when wins are inside their attain.

He stated: “At that time, I’m simply searching for them to handle the sport just a little bit higher than what they did.

“If I had a frustration, that’s what it might have been. I’ll converse to the boys about that on Monday morning.

“At some factors, we’re away gung-ho. We’re down the left flank, we’re down the best flank and our two quantity sixes are away becoming a member of in on the wings. That’s simply all the way down to recreation administration.

“Nevertheless it’s all the way down to the urge for food of the gamers on the park and it’s type of in our DNA and the way we prepare and the way we coach the gamers, when it comes to the aggression and the depth.

“However typically I would love them simply to come back off that just a little bit at 2-0 and handle the sport a bit higher.”

Martindale additionally felt his gamers ought to have been extra snug with taking their early lead.

Jason Holt’s lofted go was flicked on brilliantly by Kurtis Guthrie and Montaño benefitted to burst to the bye-line. His pinpoint cutback was fired into the web by Nouble from eight yards out.

It was the perfect begin for the Premiership hosts, who have been bidding to keep away from the shock defeat they suffered towards Championship opponents Inverness Caley Thistle in final season’s Scottish Cup.

Ayr gave nearly as good as they bought all through however couldn’t discover the attacking edge to get themselves again into the tie.

And Montaño despatched Livi into the last-eight when he was performed by on the left aspect of the field and shot previous Robbie Mutch within the Ayr aim with the help of a ricochet.

Martindale added: “The second aim introduced a number of confidence to us as a bunch and we knew at that time the sport was ours to lose as lengthy we managed the sport inside our form.”

In the meantime, Ayr supervisor Lee Bullen is happy for the longer term for his aspect this season, regardless of the defeat.

The Trustworthy Males defeated St Johnstone within the group stage of the event final month and need to construct on final season’s runners-up spot within the Championship.

Logan Chalmers signed on mortgage from Dundee United forward of kick-off and veteran winger Aidan McGeady was making his first begin.

Bullen stated: “It excites me, the group of gamers that we’re making an attempt to place collectively.

“Aiden and Logan are X-factor gamers. Once they’re absolutely in control and I get Jamie Murphy match then there’s shoots of pleasure I feel.”