Livingston boss David Martindale admitted his side threw away a perfect chance to ease relegation fears following defeat to St Johnstone.
Ali Crawford struck in the 90th minute for the Saints at the Tony Macaroni Arena to condemn the Lions to a 2-1 defeat and ensure Livi head into this weekend’s home clash with Aberdeen just eight points off the foot of the table.
Martindale had said before the game that victory – and a 14-point gap to 12th place – would all but ensure the Lions would not suffer automatic relegation this term.
However, a sloppy display means they may well be looking over their shoulders once more in a congested lower half of the table.
Following their clash with the Dons, Livi’s next four league fixtures are all against sides in the bottom six.
Martindale said: “It was poor defending and I don’t think Max (Stryjek) had a proper save to make.
“I think for large spells we controlled the game. I think we were alright after the first 20 minutes and once we got our goal we controlled large portions of the rest of the game.
“All credit to St Johnstone because they defended their box really well, but I’m very disappointed in the manner of the second goal.
“It’s poor. It’s come from a wide area and our centre-half has to do better and clear the ball.”
While admitting it was a less than pleasing performance and result, Martindale refused to get too downbeat given their impressive recent form. He added: “I don’t think it’s a reality check as such, but we’re all seeing it as a missed opportunity.
“I don’t mean that disrespectfully to St Johnstone or Callum Davidson, but when you’re in decent form and you’re playing the team at the bottom of the league, you’re looking to pick three points up.
“We had a missed opportunity at the end with Nicky (Devlin) hitting the post and I’d have been quite happy with a draw.
“Did we do enough to win the game? I’m not sure, but it feels bitterly disappointing to come away with nothing.”
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