Livingston's hoodoo over Aberdeen continued after the West Lothian side strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory over their Pittodrie visitors at Almondvale to keep them unbeaten in seven meetings between the two clubs this season.

A well-struck goal by the impressive David McNamee after 24 minutes was enough to give the home side a 1-0 half-time lead and when on-form striker Colin McMenamin scored his fourth goal in four games just after the hour-mark, there was no way back for the visitors.

Although the Dons played well enough in patches there was never any real danger they would build on their shock victory against Celtic at Parkhead during the week and in the end the home side were good value for their win.

The visitors started well enough, however, and took only until the second minute for them to have their first effort on goal.

However, midfielder Richard Foster, after taking a pass from Bryan Prunty inside the Livi penalty area, drove his angled shot from 10 yards into the side-netting.

Moments later, Dons playmaker Paul Sheerin picked out wide-man Scott Muirhead with a raking pass but the youngster drove his angled shot from 16 yards wide of the far post.

At the other end, as the game sprung into life, Burton O'Brien picked out Derek Lilley with a fine cross from the left but the former Dundee United player headed powerfully over from only eight yards out.

But the home side created a great chance in the 13th minute when O'Brien picked up a Colin McMenamin pass, fashioned some space inside the box but his shot was saved by Dons keeper David Preece.

In the 23rd minute a driving run into the Aberdeen box by McNamee ended with the Livi defender firing in a low drive but again Preece was equal to it, diving down to his right to save.

But a minute later the former Blackburn player had more success, getting the breakthrough for the home side with a fine goal.

Taking a pass from Stuart Lovell, McNamee moved towards goal, turned onto his left foot and drove a powerful shot from 20 yards into the corner of the net.

The home side looked safe but in the 34th minute a mistake by Almondvale defender Oscar Rubio allowed Muirhead through into the box and when the ball was squared to Bryan Prunty only 10 yards out, Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie had to pull off a fantastic save to keep the home side's lead intact.

At the other end, Livi defender Jamie McAllister set up Lovell with a fine reverse pass but the Australian's low drive from 25 yards was wide of Preece's right-hand post.

Lilley continued to look sprightly up front for the home side after the break but in the 49th minute it was McMenamin who drove a dangerous across the Dons' six-yard box which found no takers.

In the 57th minute Dons striker David Zdrilic made his first real contribution to the game when he drove a powerful left-footed shot from 20 yards which Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie did well to save at the second attempt with Foster waiting to pounce.

In the 61st minute, however, the home side stunned the Dons when they doubled their lead after some good lead-up play.

A Lilley cross from the left found Dons keeper Preece struggling at the back post and McNamee headed back across goal into a busy penalty area.

Lovell laid the ball off to O'Brien and when the Livi midfielder's goal-bound shot from 12 yards was blocked, McMenamin was on hand to hammer the ball in from close range for his fourth goal in four games.

Livingston looking dangerous on the break and in the 75th minute Lilley's powerful volley from just inside the box was beaten into the air by Preece and gathered at the second attempt by the visiting keeper.

In the last minute Zdrilic's shot from outside the box hit the crossbar but a goal would have been more than the visitors deserved.

Teams

Livingston McKenzie, Rubio, Andrews, Dorado (Snowdon 72), McNamee (McLaughlin 82), Makel, O'Brien, Lovell, McAllister, Lilley (Brittain 82), McMenamin.

Subs Not Used: Creer, McGovern.

Goals: McNamee 24, McMenamin 63.

Aberdeen Preece, Buckley, Rutkiewicz, Higgins, Morrison, Foster, Sheerin, Heikkinen, Muirhead, Zdrilic, Prunty (Stewart 85).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Souter, Donald, Considine.

Att: 3,133

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).