DAVID MARTINDALE admits Livingston 'got away with one' as he expressed his understanding for Steven Gerrard over the penalty call that saw him see red at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Gerrard was sent off by referee John Beaton for angrily remonstrating with him over his decision to book Alfredo Morelos for diving during a first half flashpoint.

The Colombian would go on to score the only goal of the game as Rangers moved to within four points of the Premiership title this term.

Martindale said: “We got away with one in the first half so I could understand Steven Gerrard’s reaction, of course I could.

“I’d have been the same. Your emotions are high. They’re chasing title 55 and haven’t won it for 10 years.

“John didn’t mean to make a bad decision but your emotions take over and I can understand 100 per cent his frustrations.

“The performance was there from the boys, they were fantastic up until Rangers scored the winner.

“You won’t dominate the ball against the Glasgow clubs, especially Rangers who have been fantastic, so you have to go in with a gameplan.

“It worked for 95 per cent of the game as we forced them into a lot of long, straight balls. It worked to a certain degree and we made a few chances ourselves.

“Jon should have got on the end of one in the second half at a corner. He just had to make contact and it would have gone in and Josh had a shot late on but it was blocked.

“Max didn’t have much to do. It was bog standard what he did have to do but he should maybe have done a bit better at the goal but the intensity and energy was there.

“The boys are fit. We work them hard, six days a week. We train and play at the same intensity so when it comes to matchday it’s a bit easier.