Livingston manager John Robertson hit out at linesman Willie Dishington for the "million-pound mistake" which doomed his side to relegation from the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Livi's 3-2 loss at Dunfermline means it will require a miracle to beat the drop with the Pars nine points ahead and just three games left.

But Jim Leishman's side also have a vastly superior goal difference tally.

Robertson is resigned to relegation and lost no time in pointing out the drop will cost the club a huge sum in lost revenue, with jobs also bound to be lost - including possibly his own.

And the man he blamed for the Pars' controversial late winner was not the scorer, whose identity remains unclear, but the linesman who advised referee Stuart Dougal it should be awarded.

With the score tied at 2-2, Mark Burchill set up Noel Hunt for the controversial 85th-minute strike although the former Celtic man appeared to claim it himself as Livingston players insisted it should be ruled out as the Irishman had used a hand.

Robertson said: "Stuart Dougal said he saw the handball from Noel Hunt and was prepared to give the handball.

"He went across to his linesman who confirmed to him the ball had already crossed the line.

"Our players were adamant it had nowhere near crossed the line.

"It was a huge decision from a man who is 60 yards away and, if he is correct, then well done.

"If he is wrong, he has cost us £1million and the possibility of staying in the Premier League.

"If the linesman had seen the ball cross the line, why did he not buzz Stuart Dougal and run to the halfway line to signal it was over?

"It's nothing to do with Stuart Dougal. It's the linesman's decision. Is he guilty or not?

"Well, I shook hands with every Dunfermline player and official, Stuart Dougal and the stand-side linesman - and the other linesman was sitting in the dressing room. Why?

"I don't blame Noel Hunt. He has knocked it in with his hand and that is neither here nor there. I have done that before. These things happen in football.

"I will be a very interested viewer of the highlights tomorrow. I have spoken to the television people, who said it didn't look anywhere near crossing the line.

"It could cost me my job, who knows? They may want another manager for the First Division and slash the budget for players. Who knows?"

Hunt insisted the goal should be his as he had not intended to use a hand - and the ball was not over before it hit him.

He said: "It did hit me on the hand, there is no doubt about it. It hit me on the hand and the face at the same time.

"As far as I can see, the goal is mine but the linesman has said different.

"I didn't mean it at all. I didn't intentionally punch it. My hand was up there but it was going to go in anyway off my face.

"But I can understand why John Robertson is upset. He has a case if he thinks what has happened has happened. He is not a man to lie."

Dunfermline manager Jim Leishman added: "That's how tight success and failure is. It's the harshness of the Premier League."