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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Callum Carson

Livingston boss desperate for VAR after falling foul to Motherwell penalty decision

Livingston boss David Martindale admitted he's desperate for VAR to be introduced to Scottish football as the Lions suffered spot-kick despair at Fir Park.

A highly debatable penalty-kick, awarded for an apparent handball by Cristian Montano, proved decisive in a dismal affair. Kevin van Veen slammed home from the spot for the only goal of the game.

And while the Livi gaffer admitted his side didn't deserve anything, he said referee Nick Walsh got the key decision wrong.

He commented: "The quicker we get VAR in the better. We’re talking three points for Motherwell and none for Livingston due to what is a bad decision.

“Referees don't go out to make bad decisions, but I don’t think it was a hard one to get wrong. That's the disappointing aspect. I know the Motherwell players are saying it was but I don't know how they can say that.

“All our players are adamant it wasn’t and I’ve spoken to Cristian. I don’t think it was Nick that gave it because, if it was, he would have given it straight away. The ball has hit the top of his stomach and goes out. I actually thought the delay was a debate about a corner or a goal-kick."

As for his side's performance, Martindale admitted they were poor as the Lions' search for a first win at Motherwell since 2002 continues.

He added: "I think everything that got us success in our previous three games was missing today. It was as if we just needed to turn up and it was going to happen. Motherwell outworked us, outfought us and outran us today.

"It was a wee bit of a wake-up call. I spoke to the coaching staff about it during the week, I wasn't keen on keeping the same formation but I was keen on keeping the same players because I think there's a way in the team and a way out the team.

"The players have given me big decisions to make for next week now."

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