D-day for Livi in Kilmarnock; McInnes & Stewart in focus
But all were draws and they still have not won in 30 games since Falkirk visited in August. Their 15 points from their opening 30 league matches are the lowest since Livingston themselves picked up a mere 12 when being relegated in 2005-06. Given the gap between the two is now up to nine points thanks to Kilmarnock's surprise win over leaders Hearts last weekend, it is even more essential that Bartley's side end that run on Saturday when they visit the team sitting second bottom.
St Mirren, who are looking for a new manager after Stephen Robinson's switch to Aberdeen, are also now in the relegation equation as they are only ahead of Kilmarnock on goal difference. So, with the Paisley side visiting in-form Falkirk, even a draw could be enough for Neil McCann's side to move out of the relegation play-off spot. Only Celtic, with a last-minute winner, have denied Kilmarnock a victory in their last four games at Rugby Park, where Livingston have not won on their latest five visits.
The West Lothian side staged a two-goal fightback to draw on their last visit in August and the points were also shared in Livingston in January, but going one better this time is surely a must for Bartley's side. To do so, they will have to end a seven-game run without a win over Kilmarnock, who also edged out Livingston 1-0 in the League Cup at Rugby Park in July. It is a task made all the harder given Kilmarnock's improvement since Neil McCann became manager, with three wins and one draw in their last seven outings since ending their own 17-game run without a victory.
Barney Stewart (centre) has had a rapid rise from university football Managerless St Mirren's hopes of improving on their run of one win in seven outings, or ending a run of nine games without a clean sheet, will not be helped by facing the Premiership's in-form striker on Saturday. It is only 15 months since Barney Stewart graduated from university football with Heriot-Watt to Falkirk's first team and only three since spending the first half of the season on loan to Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship. However, since the 21-year-old marked his return with a hat-trick against Hibernian on 24 January, Stewart has found the net six times and contributed two assists, which is more goal involvements than any player in the top-flight during that spell.
Indeed, including one in their Scottish Cup win over Dundee United and his late equaliser in Aberdeen last weekend, he has scored four in his last three games to take his total to 16 in 26 outings this season. His form is such that some were touting him for a first Scotland call-up for this month's World Cup warm-up friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast. Findlay Curtis, the 19-year-old winger on loan to Kilmarnock from Rangers, got the nod instead, but Stewart's time will surely come if he continues this sort of form.