Livingston boss frustrated with officials as he claims Dundee United could have had three red cards

Livingston boss David Martindale hit out at the officials and the failure to use VAR during last night’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United - and claimed the Arabs could have had three red cards.

Kieran Freeman was inexplicably not shown a second yellow card on 30 minutes for dragging down Cristian Montano as the Colombian looked set to charge into the box with the full-back duly subbed moments later.

Meanwhile, a Sadat Anaku challenge on Livi centre-back Luiyi de Lucas and Loick Ayina’s clattering foul of Scott Pittman midway through the second-half only warranted yellow cards with Martindale stunned neither was reviewed.

The Livi gaffer commented: “There was a big moment in the first-half. I’m feeling a bit aggreived if I’m honest because that’s a double yellow card (Freeman). It’s a professional foul and the next touch is leading into the box.

“I thought there was another two big moments - the tackle on Pittman and there was one on de Lucas also. The disappointing thing for me is the ref’s not been given the chance to go and look at the monitor.

“We watch it back in the dugout. We have the technology now and the referee’s not always going to make the correct decision in real time but with the technology you can arrive at a better decision.

“I think both challenges, especially the one on Pittman, I’m astounded the referee wasn’t asked to go and look at the monitor.”

He added: “I had Pittman and Jason Holt sent-off earlier in the season and I honestly didn’t think they were red cards so we appealed them. We lost the appeals and we take it on the chin but the disappointing aspect is that we have VAR to check.

“That’s telling me that VAR is refereeing the game because they’re making that decision in the room when I think they’ve