Marvin Bartley’s first match in the Livingston dugout ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Falkirk in a William Hill Premiership tie at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.
Bartley, the Lions’ former captain, assistant manager and first-team coach, replaced David Martindale, who moved upstairs to sporting director after overseeing a 24-game winless run.
Falkirk took control in the first half with early strikes from Kyrell Wilson and Louie Marsh. The opener arrived after just six minutes when Daniel Finlayson was caught in possession outside his area, allowing Marsh to feed Wilson, who side-footed across and beyond Jerome Prior. A Barney Stewart header was ruled out for offside shortly after, but Falkirk doubled their lead when Marsh finished from a set-piece at the back post following a dangerous corner.
The visitors dominated and came close to a third on several occasions — Brad Spencer’s corner forced Prior into a smart save and Wilson hit a volley narrowly wide late in the half — while a Calvin Miller slip denied them another clear chance.
Livingston responded immediately after the break. Two minutes into the second half a goalmouth scramble was half-cleared and Connor McLennan poked the rebound past Scott Bain. Falkirk protested as Liam Henderson lay injured in the box, but a VAR review allowed the goal to stand.
The goal shifted momentum, and Livi enjoyed a spell of pressure, but Falkirk still created the better openings. Ethan Ross bent an effort narrowly wide, Miller rounded Prior but struck the frame, and veteran Stevie May — introduced for the injured McLennan — forced a save from Bain as the hosts searched for an equaliser.
The closing stages were frantic, with Livingston sending men forward and Falkirk looking to exploit space on the break, but neither side found a decisive second goal. The win strengthened Falkirk’s top-six credentials — they sit eight points clear of Aberdeen — while Livingston remain six points adrift.