Marvin Bartley’s first game in charge of Livingston ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Falkirk at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.
Bartley, who had been the club’s captain, assistant manager and first-team coach, took over after David Martindale was moved upstairs to sporting director following a 24-game winless run.
Falkirk dominated the first half and took an early lead after just six minutes. Daniel Finlayson was caught in possession outside his area, Louie Marsh fed Kyrell Wilson and Wilson side-footed the opener beyond Jerome Prior. A Barney Stewart header was then ruled out for offside, but Falkirk doubled their advantage before half-time when Marsh finished at the back post from a dangerous corner.
The visitors controlled large spells and came close to a third on a number of occasions, with a corner forcing a smart save and Wilson volleying narrowly wide late in the half; a slip from Calvin Miller also denied Falkirk 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 home. Falkirk protested as Liam Henderson lay injured in the box, but a VAR review allowed the strike to stand.
The goal shifted momentum and Livingston enjoyed a spell of pressure, yet Falkirk continued to create the clearer openings. Ethan Ross bent an effort narrowly wide, Miller rounded a defender but struck the frame of the goal, and veteran Stevie May—brought on for the injured McLennan—forced a save as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.
The final stages were frantic, with Livingston sending players forward and Falkirk looking dangerous on the counter, but neither side could find a decisive second goal. The 2-1 victory underlined Falkirk’s top-six hopes—leaving them eight points clear of Aberdeen—while Livingston remain six points adrift.