Livingston put the depression of administration behind them for 90 minutes, cruising to a comfortable 3-1 win over Motherwell at Almondvale.

Goals by Jamie McAllister, Derek Lilley and David Fernandez gave the home side a commanding three-goal lead by half-time, which was just reward for a first 45 minutes in which the crisis hit club dominated.

After the break, the visitors squandered a couple of early gilt-edged chances to bring themselves back into the game.

But Livingston were always in control despite losing a late goal to Well midfielder Derek Adams, who followed up his saved penalty by Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie to net the rebound.

Despite the West Lothian club's financial troubles, there was a poor crowd inside Almondvale at kick-off, indicating the intrinsic reason for Livingston's financial woes.

From the first whistle, though, Livi looked eager to make amends and indeed got off to a dream start.

They took the lead after only two-and-a-half minutes with a sensational strike from defender Jamie McAllister.

As the home side pressurised Motherwell's penalty area, Livi striker David Fernandez laid the ball back to the former Aberdeen player, who thundered an unstoppable left footed shot past Gordon Marshall from all of 25 yards.

But gradually Motherwell started to take the game to home side.

Striker David Clarkson misjudged Livi's offside trap a couple of times and Alex Burns brought out a decent save from McKenzie with a powerful drive.

The hosts could have got a second after 28 minutes when Fernandez played in Lee Makel, but the former Hearts player hesitated and the chance went.

But on the half-hour mark, Livingston grabbed a second - and unsurprisingly, the influential Fernandez was again involved.

The little Spaniard played a carefully weighted pass onto the path of Derek Lilley and the on-form Livi striker to no time in despatching a powerful drive past Marshall.

Livi were rampant now and in the 36th minute Fernandez beat the offside trap to leave him with a one-on-one with Marshall, but the keeper did well to save at the striker's feet.

A minute later the Motherwell keeper again saved from Fernandez, this time as the Livi striker attempted to lob him from just inside the box.

Right on the half-time whistle, though, Fernandez got his reward for a super first-half display.

He picked up a pass from Makel, rounded Marshall and slipped the ball into the empty net from a tight angle.

Adams almost got an early goal back after the break, when, on 49 minutes, McKenzie had to touch his chip shot from just inside the box over the bar.

Then a minute later the Lions keeper made an even better save from David Clarkson, when he saved the youngster's shot from close range with his legs.

The visitors continued to battle, but as the minutes ticked away it became imperative they reduced the deficit as quickly as possible.

A shot from midfielder Jason Dair, which sailed high and wide just before the hour, did little to encourage the visiting fans, though.

Livingston, on the other hand, had a less anxious approach to their play and with Fernandez in such good form, further goals looked on the cards.

In the 61st minute, Motherwell made and missed another good chance when Dair slipped Keith Lasley in with a defence-splitting pass. But the Well midfielder lacked composure and blazed his shot from 14 yards over the bar.

The visitors continued to have most of the game, but as the second half progressed they still could not break down the determined home defence.

As the Fir Park men threw men forward, there was always the chance Livingston would strike on the break.

And after 81 minutes, defender Marvin Andrews sent a header wide from eight yards out.

Then in the final minute, Motherwell were awarded a penalty when Oscar Rubio fouled Motherwell substitute Kenny Wright.

Adams had his spot kick saved by McKenzie, but followed up to net the rebound for a consolation goal.

Teams

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee (McGovern 69), Andrews, Rubio, McAllister, O'Brien, Lovell, Makel, Dorado (McLaughlin 47), Lilley, Fernandez (McMenamin 81).

Subs Not Used: Main, Brittain.

Booked: Makel, Fernandez, Lovell, Rubio.

Goals: McAllister 3, Lilley 29, Fernandez 45.

Motherwell Marshall, Quinn, Corrigan, Craigan, Bollan (Wright 65), Dair, O'Donnell (Scott McDonald 46), Adams, Lasley, Clarkson, Burns.

Subs Not Used: Corr, Kevin McDonald, Kinniburgh.

Booked: Burns, Craigan, Adams.

Goals: Adams 90.

Att: 3,492

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).