Derek McInnes praises Aberdeen youngsters following win over Livingston

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes hailed his young guns as the Dons battled to a deserved 3-2 Ladbrokes Premiership victory over Livingston.

Niall McGinn had given the Dons the lead but goals from Scott Pittman and Jack McMillan had the visitors in front before 22-year-old Sam Cosgrove and 19-year old Lewis Ferguson secured all three points.

And a delighted McInnes said: “We’ve introduced more youngsters this season, and that’s something that’s been aimed at me over the years that we maybe don’t play enough youngsters.

“I think a combination of that and the injuries we’ve dealt with this season have led to our inconsistency this season.

“If you look at the stats I think we’ve had the youngest team in the league so it’s good for their development and there are encouraging signs that some of them can make the breakthrough.

“I think we played well, but we’re disappointed with the goals we’ve lost. I felt to go behind was harsh on us, but that can happen. You have to work really hard to break Livingston down, but I need to praise our fitness and spirit.

“We got our just rewards in the end, and young Connor McLennan had a big part to play in that, holding the width and getting crosses in. It’s tough on Livingston but the better team won.”

Livingston boss Gary Holt felt for his players after Ferguson’s stoppage-time strike denied them anything from the game.

Holt said: “It’s the proverbial kick in the teeth, but I’m not going to say we dominated the game. Aberdeen threw everything at us in the second half and we defended resolutely.

“To lose the late goal is tough to take, but we’ll learn from it. We just couldn’t get up the pitch in the second half, but we’ll have to have a look at the goals we lost as to lose them the way we did is not good enough.

“At 2-2 we rode our luck a few times, and we just couldn’t get over the line. We have to learn as a group that the game lasts until the referee blows the whistle.

“I’m not downhearted, but it’s sickening for the players after the effort they put in.”