Are Livingston already doomed at halfway stage?

Were it any other manager in Scotland, you would be questioning whether they were at risk of the sack.

But Martindale, 51, is in his fifth season in charge – having been at the club even longer behind the scenes – and survived previous crises.

Former Scotland striker Billy Dodds, though, is concerned about the team’s chances of survival.

“Tonight was as poor as it’s been and I’m not surprised he’s said what he’s said,” Dodds said on Sportscene. “Going on this, David Martindale will not be sleeping.

“Somehow they are going to have to get a win and get some confidence, but it looks like they and Killie are battling it out now against relegation.”

United had 22 goal attempts at Almondvale – their highest total in a match this season – which came as a surprise to another Sportscene pundit, Scott Allan.

“Some of the chances they are giving up are really poor,” he said. “There is a bit of softness there that you don’t expect from a David Martindale team.”

Livingston have already paid an undisclosed fee to sign forward Joshua Zimmerman, midfielder Emmanuel Danso is on the way, and defender Brooklyn Kabongolo has been recalled from his loan to Arbroath.

Martindale has his January changes in motion, but have the wheels started turning too late?