SHOUTS of frustration towards Dundee manager Mark McGhee kindled around the 18th minute after Livingston’s Scott Pittman tapped in to make it 2-0. Minutes later those shouts engulfed the home stands as Bruce Anderson added his second to make it three, with some fans storming for the exit – and some of those aiming abuse towards the director’s box.

It is harsh taking anything away from a Livingston side, who moved into the top six as a result of their 4-0 win and were excellent throughout, but Dundee’s first-half capitulation involved three goals in which defenders were beaten too easily before the ball was cut back for a simple finish.

Anderson had opened the scoring on six minutes, converting after Alan Forrest beat several men. He was later in a similar position to meet captain Nicky Devlin’s low cross – and net his 12th of the season – after Dundee were caught out with a quick free-kick. In between Pittman had tapped in after some good work from Joel Nouble.

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Defender Jack Fitzwater added a fourth in the second half in a miserable afternoon for Dundee which sees them remain bottom of the Premiership.

Ahead of the match McGhee, still serving a touchline ban and making his home debut, had stressed the importance of clean sheets. Not only did they fail in this, they failed to stay in the game long enough to have a chance at taking anything.

“I was brought here because something needed to be fixed,” said the manager. “That has not changed in a week.”

“Prior to me coming here they had the worst goal difference in the league. Of course it was a shock to be 3-0 down in 20 minutes but it was poor defending.

“All four goals we lost were down to poor defending and individual mistakes. That was hugely disappointing but that is what we are here to fix.

“It is disappointing but we still have plenty of games left.”

Conceding goals has been Dundee’s Achilles heel all season. They have scored more than their relegation rivals and the same as their city rivals, yet have conceded 20 more than Dundee United and 15 more than St Johnstone.

That led to Paul McMullan being brought on for Zeno Ibsen Rossi, in a move to a back four. The response was meek. His cross was headed by Ryan Sweeney and comfortably saved by Max Stryjek, the closest they came to scoring.

Charlie Adam and Niall McGinn were brought on at half-time but Livingston always looked the most likely to score. Within minutes of the restart Pittman had fired just wide from range and Fitzwater headed into the side netting. Then on 64 minutes the latter made it 4-0 and more Dundee fans headed for the exits.

Again it came from a wide area, this time when Forrest found him during the second phase of a corner, and again the scorer was unmarked as the towering defender angled his body and curled the ball into the far bottom corner.

The win sees Livingston move into the top half, just one point off fourth. "I'm still beating myself up about the points we've dropped in previous games,” said manager David Martindale.

“We could be sitting in fourth quite comfortably. I think it's a massive credit to the players and the coaching staff art the club.

“I think everybody and their dog basically had us relegated at the start of the season.

“I trusted the process. That's us in the top six now – our aim and our challenge is to stay in the top six."