Livingston boss urges 'trust the process' despite defeat to Dundee

Livingston boss David Martindale says he 'trusts the process' despite a chorus of boos echoing around the Tony Macaroni Arena following his side's 2-0 loss to Dundee.

An uneventful first-half gave way to a flurry of activity after the break but the Dees ran out worthy winners against the 10-man hosts, who failed to register a single shot on target.

Having benefitted from a VAR decision when Amadou Bakayoko's goal was ruled offside following a check by whistler Willie Collum, the hosts weren't so lucky a second time as Cristian Montano saw red on 70 minutes. It was the correct decision with the Colombian having stamped on Malachi Boateng with the original yellow card overturned in favour of a dismissal.

From there, Tony Docherty's side took full advantage with Joe Shaughnessy firing home a late double. The skipper bundled home the opener on 82 minutes following a stramash in the six yard box before sweeping the ball into the net three minutes later after an Antonio Portales flick-on.

Afterwards, Martindale admitted he understood fans' frustrations, saying: "Anybody who came to this club thinking they’re not going to be in a relegation battle is kidding themselves on. I’ve been very vocal about it, I know we’re going to be in a relegation battle, I think there will potentially be six, seven teams all doing something very similar.

"The fans are frustrated when you take wee Bruce (Anderson) off, he is the one who is going to get you the goal. When you’re down to ten men and it’s nil-nil the last thing I’m thinking about is trying to nick the game. I’m trying to stay in the game and maybe in the last five you can go on and try and win it.

"I get it, the fans are frustrated but I think you have to put it into perspective.