Dundee 0-4 Livingston: Livi ease to Scottish Premiership win at Dens Park

Livingston moved up to sixth in the cinch Premiership table with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Dundee at the Kilmac Stadium.

The visitors took control of the game from the start and established a commanding first-half lead thanks to two goals from Bruce Anderson either side of a Scott Pittman strike.

Livi made it four in the second half through Jack Fitzwater to seal a richly-deserved three points.

The game was Mark McGhee’s home debut as Dundee manager and it was one to forget for the 64-year-old with the Dark Blues remaining rooted to the foot of the table.

Livingston stormed into an early lead in the sixth minute.

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Alan Forrest advanced down the left into the home box before cutting the ball back and although Dundee keeper Ian Lawlor palmed the cross away, Anderson was on hand to stab home from close range.

The Dark Blues had an immediate chance to equalise but Danny Mullen hit a 25-yard free-kick over Livi keeper Max Stryjek’s crossbar.

Instead, it was Livi who extended their advantage with a quickfire double.

In the 18th minute, Joel Nouble sent a ball in from the right to Pittman for an easy finish and, just two minutes later, Forrest took a quick free-kick to Nicky Devlin and his low cross was turned home once more by Anderson.

A barrage of boos rang out from home supporters with some Dundee fans heading for the exits.

Not surprisingly, McGhee’s men looked shell-shocked and struggled to make any impression on a Livingston side who were in complete command.

However, they did finally test Stryjek again in the 42nd minute with Ryan Sweeney powering a header towards goal but the keeper made a comfortable save.

Livingston came close to making it four at the start of the second half as James Penrice put a low ball in from the left but this time Anderson sent his shot just wide.

The Lions had another opportunity shortly after as Pittman hit a long-range effort that flew just inches past Lawlor’s right-hand post.

Dundee huffed and puffed as they tried to get back into the game but they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities with Stryjek a virtual spectator.

And it was Livi who made it four in the 65th minute when Forrest teed up Fitzwater to calmly pass the ball into the back of the net past Lawlor.

Livi were in cruise control with more boos ringing out from the remaining home supporters at the final whistle.

What the managers said...

Dundee manager Mark McGhee said: "I was brought here because something needed to be fixed. That has not changed in a week.

"Prior to me coming here they had the worst goal difference in the league. Of course it was a shock to be 3-0 down in 20 minutes but it was poor defending.

"All four goals we lost were down to poor defending and individual mistakes. That was hugely disappointing but that is what we are here to fix.

"I have total respect for fans and their views but I can't allow that to distract me. The players have got to deal with it. When you're 3-0 down at home after 20 minutes, then you deserve stick.

"If they are not men and can't handle that then they shouldn't be here. When you play badly, you get stick from the supporters. They thoroughly deserved everything they got from the supporters.

"We have to get back to the drawing board within the group and try to find the solutions."

Livingston boss David Martindale said: "I'm still beating myself up about the points we've dropped in previous games. We could be sitting in fourth quite comfortably.

"I think it's a massive credit to the players and the coaching staff at the club.

"So I said to them, once we get into the top six, let's see if anyone else can get us out of the top six - because we'll fight and we'll scrap and we'll do everything we can to stay there."