Livingston boss David Martindale is setting his sights on the challenge ahead after an eventful 1-1 draw with third placed Hibernian on Saturday.
Livingston struck first with a Craig Sibbald strike in the 29th minute, but Hibs equalised just before half-time through Christian Doidge.
After the game, Martindale commented: “I thought we were far better in the first half, and with the chances we created, we have to do a bit better in converting them into goals.
“Again, we gave a really sloppy goal away. We just had to clear our lines to avoid it, so worst case we would’ve been going in 1-0 up and that’s enough to win the game.
“I thought the second half was probably more in Hibs' favour, but we still had a couple of good opportunities as well to go ahead. There wasn’t a lot in the game in the second half.
"On reflection, I’ll take the draw, but a bit disappointed given how it could’ve went for us.”
Following Aberdeen’s defeat to Dundee United, a win against Hibernian would have closed the gap to fourth placed Dons just three points.
However, Martindale added: "It's a point in the right direction and Jack (Ross, Hibs manager) will also be saying the same thing for his side in terms of widening the game between them and Aberdeen as well.”
He also noted the confidence that the Lions played with at the weekend, saying: “I thought it was a good game of football, I enjoyed watching the first half especially.
“I said that to the boys after the game that I thought, in the first half, they played with more composure today, in terms of getting on the ball and they moved the ball quite well.
“I think you could see that by getting into the top six, it’s a relieving of pressure on them so they played more freely.
“Second half, there was a 15 minute spell where Hibs were consistently putting balls into the box, Nisbet and Irvine making late runs, and big Doidge as well.
"I knew we needed to try and stop the cross because that was probably their game plan.”
With Aberdeen five points ahead and in sight, Martindale is confident that the squad can progress further than fifth place by the end of the season as they target a bid for Europe.
He said: "Why not? I think you have to have that attitude. That’s our last game of the league before the split so you’re going into the split with five games to go, and we’re only five points behind.
“We still have Aberdeen to play as well, so it’s a fantastic carrot for us to look ahead to.
“Theoretically, you’ve got the game against Aberdeen, if we pick three points up in that, then it’s anybody’s, but it’s going to be tough.
“But, why not? Why can’t we do it?”
