Livingston boss David Martindale believes Lawrence Shankland was the difference between his side and Heart of Midlothian in the 2-1 win for Steven Naismith's men.

The Hearts No.9 scored what proved to be the winner after missing an earlier penalty, his second in three games. But he has now netted 13 in his last 14 goals, including seven in his last six. Shankland now has 18 goals in all competitions for the Tynecastle Park club, plus another for Scotland.

"Lawrence Shankland," Martindale said. "I genuinely think Shankland was the difference in the game. He must be worth four or five million pound. 

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"We actually had some very good moments to win the game. Big Kurtis (Guthrie) was brilliant for us and I think he's been brilliant. He has a header at the back post and tries to glance it. The pace is already on the ball, he just needs to put it back across. Michael Nottingham had a very good opportunity as well.

"If I look at the game, there were a lot of positives bar the result. I felt it was a bit more of what I want from a Livingston team. I think we came away from that a bit, personnel have drifted us away from that. I need to take responsibility for that.

"The top end of the park was the difference and Hearts have got a match-winner in their team."

Martindale compared Shankland to former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos and admitted he would like to see him "go and progress".

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"I know he misses the pen but the outside of the foot finish for the second goal is fantastic," the Livi boss said. "Our marking is diabolical, terrible. But that's probably the difference, it's that bleep Lawrence Shankland.

"I look at him and compare him. He's completely different from Kyogo but he's slightly like Morelos. Lawrence has more in his overall game and a better mentality. When Morelos was at his prime, it's a tough one but I'm probably taking Lawrence.

"He doesn't have any temperament problems. I'd love to see him, as a football fan, go and progress. Hearts is a huge club, miles ahead of Livi, but I think there's a bit more to come from Lawrence Shankland.

"Eighteen goals in all competitions, halfway through a season, is incredible numbers. It's not just against us either, he's scoring all types of different finishes against everyone."