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Livingston blew Ross County away in a devastating opening 26 minutes to continue their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season.

Jon Guthrie, Steven Lawless and Lyndon Dykes all hit the net with Ross Stewart's counter doing little to stem the tide.

Sheffield Wednesday's on-loan winger Jack Stobbs then announced his arrival with a stunning debut goal.

It was their first victory in Dingwall since 2008, when they also won 4-1.

After reaching the League Cup quarter-finals and beginning their Premiership campaign with two draws, Livingston's predicted struggles are yet to materialise.

But County's defeat comes seven days after losing to Championship Partick Thistle in the League Cup.

Defying the critics

If pre-season predictions are anything to go by, this should have been a mismatch in favour of the home side. Championship winners Ross County have been tipped to be well clear of the relegation zone. Meanwhile many say Livingston, having lost so many of their stalwarts who kept them up last season, shouldn't be thinking any higher than a play-off spot.

But eight games played, zero defeats, and Gary Holt's side have only failed to find the net once this season.

The early 3-0 lead didn't flatter Livingston either. It could have been five or six as they drove forward in numbers time and time again. But County's defence didn't offer much resistance, handing out three gifts.

Guthrie was given a free header from Keaghan Jacobs' free-kick and nodded in. Lawless drove into the corner as dark blue shirts filled the box but left the defending to a minimum. And it was three when Dykes was invited to shoot from close range.

It was all too easy for Livingston, and County's hopes were not helped by an early injury to Liam Fontaine. That County pulled a goal back before the break through Stewart was the biggest surprise of the first 45 minutes.

Despite their struggles, a second goal would make things nervous for Livi, and Blair Spittal fired over inside the box. But their brief flurry was dampened by a brilliant fourth goal from the West Lothian men.

Lawless was sent scampering clear on the left. His cross met Stobbs, whose debut began from the bench after 29 minutes, and the winger met it first time, side-footing from the edge of the box with precision into the top corner.

County to their credit refused to let it get embarrassing. Stewart headed wide and Billy McKay had a low shot tipped past the post. But Guthrie could have put the gloss on Livi's win with a header that was just the wrong side of the upright.

That miss though didn't stop them posting their biggest top-flight win since December's hammering of Hearts.

Man of the match - Lyndon Dykes

BBC Scotland's Eilidh Davies at the Global Energy Stadium

Livingston's Lyndon Dykes had a fantastic game. As well as being on the score sheet himself, the Australian also put in a dominant performance.

The 23-year-old netted goal number three with a close-range right-footed effort. He could have added to his goal tally as he came close again including a long-range effort which was just wide. Throughout the match he looked menacing in front of goal.

'Performance was sub-standard' - Post-match reaction

Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell: "Livi were better from the first minute of the game. They showed energy, they physically dominated us. We couldn't defend our penalty area. Everything we have been praised for this season we couldn't do today. That performance was sub-standard to say the least.

"We know the first goal in the Premiership is massive. We've had so many good reactions to going behind, certainly last season, but we didn't see any of that today."

Livingston head coach Gary Holt: "We scored some really good goals. A lot was made of our results away from home and we should have got the monkey off our back last week against St Johnstone, but we did it today.

"We know Ross County coming up last year, the bubble they've had and how difficult it is to come here, but to score four goals, I am delighted."