Another bad day at the office for Livingston as the return to League action witnessed a game with everything except points for the Lions.

Amadou Bakayoko’s strike gave Dundee the lead that was extended by Luke McCowan after home skipper Andrew Shinnie had a penalty saved.

There were moments of hope for the hosts as McCowan was sent off and Tete Yengi scored a spot-kick to reduce the deficit, but late goals from Zach Robinson and impressive debutant Michael Mellon made sure of the victory that lifts Dundee to seventh.

“I am conscious that I am the leader of the group,” said Martindale, whose side have not won in the league since 7 October.

“It’s not good enough. We are away. We are in the Championship next season at this rate.

“It’s not good enough from me. I think I have got to take responsibility. It lies with me. I genuinely believed we could get the club out of this situation.

“I don’t want to walk out on the players or the staff. But I have to take responsibility. That’s the conundrum I am in. I don’t walk away from fights, we are in a fight.”

Livingston, desperate to end a six-game winless run at home in the league, started strong and threatened Harrison Sharp’s goal twice early on.

Against the run of play however, Bakayoko netted his fifth goal of the campaign, drilling beyond debutant Michael McGovern after James Penrice’s hacked clearance fell fortunately to the Dundee number nine.

A chance arose for the home side to equalise when McCowan felled Jason Holt in the box, but Shinnie’s weak spot-kick was kept out by Sharp.

A flurry of changes at the hour from both sides ripped the game wide open. A disorganised Livingston defence were passed through with ease by McCowan and Burnley loanee Mellon, allowing the former to coolly slot in Dundee’s second.

An incredible five-minute spell caused panic for Dundee. McCowan was sent off for a second bookable offence and Yengi netted from the spot soon after.

But, immediately from kick-off, Robinson turned in a Mellon cross to restore the visitors’ two-goal margin.

Mellon was not finished yet, however. The new arrival endeared himself further to the travelling support as he struck from 20 yards to settle the game.

Match Report: BBC Scotland

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