Livingston boss David Martindale lamented the fact his side "gifted" Heart of Midlothian two goals as the West Lothian outfit fell to a 4-2 loss at Tynecastle Park.

Livi raced into a two-goal lead within the first quarter of the match with Stephen Kelly taking advantage of sloppy play on two occasions. 

The Premiership's bottom side, however, went into the interval 4-2 behind as Hearts came back strongly after the half-hour mark.

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"I think what you saw there in the first half was the story of our season played out in 45 minutes," he said. "We started the game really well and should have scored a third when Tete was clean through against Craig Gordon. That was an unbelievable chance. Stephen came up with two good goals.

"To give Hearts their due, they scored two decent goals but we gifted them the goals. I don't want to sit here and blame individuals because the players who made the mistakes have been big players for me this season. It just so happened the two came together."

Martindale believes Livingston were worthy of a result with the chances they created.

"I thought we created enough chances in the game to take something. Tete and Dan Mackay had two big opportunities too. Michael Nottingham could have probably done better with a free header. But when you look at the balance of the game, Shamal has only really had one save to make, Bar that, we gifted Hearts two goals.

"I sound delusional I know I do, but we created some really good opportunities in the game.

"I don't think I have ever come to Tynecastle and created so many chances. But I have never come here and conceded that many chances at the same time.

"We gifted them two goals. From having a two-goal advantage, we come in at half time two goals down and we have only got ourselves to blame."