Livingston boss David Martindale fumes over Dundee’s match-winning penalty

Livid Livingston boss David Martindale was adamant Dundee’s winning penalty should not have been awarded in their 3-2 defeat at Dens Park.

The Dark Blues had established a two-goal lead through Simon Murray and Joe Westley, but Livi came storming back thanks to a Clark Robertson own goal and a Jeremy Bokila penalty.

However, deep in stoppage time, referee Ross Hardie awarded another spot-kick to Dundee when he adjudged Danny Wilson had brought down home substitute Charlie Reilly.

The official was then called over to the pitchside monitor by VAR, but he stuck with his original decision as Callum Jones slotted home the spot-kick to secure a dramatic victory for Dundee.

However, Martindale was left baffled and frustrated by the sequence of events.

The manager said: “My opinion is that Danny Wilson pulled out of the challenge, plants his foot and the Dundee player initiates contact.

“We watched it back and were pretty confident it would be overturned.

“When the ref is then sent to the monitor, the information is that you’ve probably made the wrong decision.

“But he sticks to his guns and gives the penalty and I find it hard to to understand that.

“How are we getting these decisions wrong when the VAR official has told him to have a look?

“It’s not a penalty for me and I told the referee after the game ‘you better hope you have got it right’.

“I will take it on the chin if I am wrong, but I can’t get my head around why it’s given.

“We should be sitting here talking about the game but we aren’t – because of VAR.

“I don’t enjoy VAR in the Premiership. I did enjoy the Championship last season without it.”

Dundee boss Steven Pressley was in no doubt about the importance of his side securing their first William Hill Premiership win of the season.

He said: “I think it’s huge. I’m under no illusions. We are pundits’ favourites, bookies’ favourites to get relegated. And we have to understand that.

“But we’ve shown signs. Before this game, we were one defeat in four.

“And although there were the draws, there were some positives in amongst that.

“But you always want that first win of the season. It just breeds confidence. It breeds belief in the squad.

“And, of course, for our supporters, it’ll give them some hope.

“We’re in transition, I keep saying that. I think we’re a long way off where we need to be.

“But to get results in this Premiership, especially against a really spirited Livingston side, you have to show one thing and that’s courage.

“And we showed that in abundance today.”