Brian Rice has been asked about referees once again- but the Hamilton boss refused to make excuses for his side’s 4-2 loss to Livingston.
After initially taking the lead through Shaun Want, Accies were met with the full force of Gary Holt’s attack. Goals from Craig Sibbald, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Steven Lawless and Scott Pittman sealed a big away win.
A big win for Livi. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sam Woods’ debut goal only served as a consolation in the end. With Hearts’ shock win over Rangers and St Mirren’s draw with Aberdeen over the weekend, Accies are now two points from safety and one off bottom.
Rice says a makeshift back four didn’t help and that refereeing decisions from Bobby Madden didn’t have an impact on the final score: “Livingston thoroughly deserved to win. It’s really difficult for us when we don’t have five or six starters playing.
“Any team in the Premiership can’t afford that. I’m not hear to talk about referees. Bobby Madden is a top class ref and a top class man. He calls it how he sees it. Bobby was the fourth official at the game against Hibs.
Rice has been left dismayed. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“There was a very dubious decision that could have went our way and it didn’t. No qualms from me. I asked the linesman why it was given and he said ‘I don’t know, Bobby’s given it.’
“I thought we were a soft touch today defensively but like I say, the back four I put out is makeshift.
“Brian Easton, Aaron McGowan, Jamie Hamilton, Sam Stubbs, all out my back four. It’s really difficult but you need to get on with it.”