Brechin went into Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash as unbeaten League One leaders, yet City boss Darren Dods admitted his team were “in awe” of the home side.
Their deferential attitude allowed Livingston to take a half-time lead, and although the visitors improved in the second period, Scott Pittman’s wonder goal handed them a first league defeat of the season.
They now trail Alloa and Livingston by two points in third.
“Livingston have been scoring so many goals this season, especially at home, that we were maybe a wee bit in awe of them in the first half,” explained Dods.
“The way they won at Alloa last week was really impressive, but don’t forget they’re a full-time club, which obviously we’re not. They’re top of the league for a reason: they’ve got some very good players.
“Because of all that, we sat off them too much in the first half, which you just can’t do, and we were punished.
“The second half was a lot better from us, but we couldn’t get an equaliser. Their second goal made things even more difficult, although Alan Trouten pulled one back and we never stopped trying to get another. It’s still been a good start to the season.”
Even in that shaky first 45, Brechin almost went ahead when Ally Love’s low, left-foot effort was well held by keeper Liam Kelly.
A turning point arrived in the 58th minute as Ross Caldwell blew their best chance to equalise when he waited too long after dancing round Kelly and saw his finish blocked on the line by Alan Lithgow.
Pittman’s 30-yard rocket soon made it 2-0 before substitute Trouten, on his return from injury, offered City hope by converting Andy Jackson’s cross.