Livingston boss 'disappointed' not to pick up all three points in Perth

Livingston boss David Martindale says he was 'disappointed' to only pick up a point in Perth - despite conceding he'd have settled for exactly that before kick-off.

A lethargic first half display saw Saints go into the break in front after Dara Costelloe's 35th minute opener during an entirely forgettable opening 45 minutes from both sides.

However, the Lions got back into the contest just shy of the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty for Liam Gordon's foul on Joel Nouble, which Sean Kelly duly converted. Gordon and Nouble were again at the centre of things seven minutes from time when a VAR check resulted in the Saints skipper being sent-off for a rash challenge on the Livi man.

The Lions were unable to breach the Saints defence with the man advantage as they settled for their fourth draw in just seven league fixtures this term.

Martindale said: "In the first-half, we were really lethargic and passive. When we got the goal, we really settled down in the game and from that point we had the impetus to go and try to get more.

"The boys got a wee lift in energy levels. Our tempo increased and we put to bed Wednesday night, in terms of the mental side and the fatigue. But when they went down to 10 men, I think it made the game a wee bit harder because they dropped into a 4-4-1 block and they were behind the ball and it was difficult."

He added: "I don’t think we utilised the space well enough at times, our game management has to be a little bit better. We were trying to win the game and get the three points but if you had offered me a point before the game, after this run of fixtures, I probably would have taken it.

“I’m disappointed we never took three points but I would probably say a draw is the right result."

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