David Martindale claims Livingston are latest victims of injury time rule change but denies it's sour grapes

David Martindale admits Livingston are the latest victims of time added on for VAR having a win over St Mirren snatched from their grasp in the 99th minute.

The Lions boss believes the new mandate to extend games far longer is detrimental to players and insisted it's not a sour grapes statement. It's been suggested that games going on beyond the 100-minute mark puts too much of a demand on players but Martindale revealed it's also altered his approach to making substitutions in the Scottish Premiership.

He said: "I’ve started saying to my bench to say when it’s reached 90 minutes and making a sub then because you’re looking at playing for eight or nine minutes. The way I structure my subs has changed because I’m putting fresh legs on the park. I don’t think it’s great for players. The intensity and physicality and asking the players to play an extra 10 per cent over the course of the season is not good for their well-being.

9 Premiership free transfer bargains clubs can snap up as Alfredo Morelos headlines unattached options

"I thought the points were won. We need to deal with the ball in our box better. But I don’t think Jamie (Brandon) should be giving the ball away at that point in the game. Just help it on… everybody and their dog probably heard me saying to put it in the corner and the game dies at that point.

"We don’t defend the ball well enough. St Mirren over commit bodies and it becomes a bit difficult because your set-plays against are a bit erratic and the shape goes out the window at that stage of the game"

Martindale also revealed his relief to seeing midfielder Andrew Shinnie recover from what at first appeared to be a serious neck injury.
He said: “He’s okay, he was in the changing room at the end.