Bartley insists Livingston will fight to retain Premiership status

Marvin Bartley insists no-one at Livingston is ready to give up on retaining their Premiership status. The rock bottom Lions stunned Dundee United at Tannadice when they took a 2-1 lead thanks to a Lewis Smith second-half double but they ultimately lost the game 3-2. The result means Livingston are now 12 points adrift of 11th-placed Kilmarnock with just five games to go and 15 points left to play for.

However, boss Bartley is adamant the players will not be running up the white flag just yet. The 39-year-old said: "They haven't given up and we won't allow them to give up. "There were harsh words spoken at half-time because we needed a reaction from some individuals.

"Smithy was one of them because I didn't think he had the best of first halves. "He got us 2-1 up but we have to be better in those moments afterwards. " Bartley added: "The manner of the goals, even the first goal, we throw ourselves to the floor and I'm massive on that not happening.

"The boys know it, we let him inside and then it goes through someone's legs. "Just stand up and let the ball hit you, it's just a bit of leather with some air in it so you have to be braver in those situations. "