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Have to disagree with those posters who are blaming Vigurs for us not winning yesterday. There was no way he deserved to be sent off. His first booking may or may not have been justified, it was definitely not for mouthing off, but similar challenges were being put in throughout the game by both sides and no action taken by the referee which just highlights the inconsistency of the officials and the reason they get so much stick/abuse. If referees cannot understand that this is the one thing that really irritates fans, then they should not be refereeing. As for the sending off, Vigurs was simply just going for the ball. Sure, his foot was high but there was no malicious intent in that. The Livingston player went down as if he had been poleaxed by a punch from Mike Tyson but trust me, Vigurs did not catch the player at all with his boot. The other interesting thing about the sending off was that the referee had the cards out immediately, he took no time to assess the situation and appears to have already made up his mind to send off Vigurs. The standard of refereeing is definitely declining in Scotland and referees simply seem unable to distinguish between genuine foul play and mistimed or genuine tackles. The treatment Oakley received yesterday from both the referee and standside linesman were perfect examples of this where he was constantly fouled so when he did, as any good certain forward would do, and start to dish out the same treatment, he was instantly penalised. Ultimately we are drawing too many games which may cost us at the end of the season but there is certainly cause for optimism as there is a nucleus of a good team being created.

I always thought the refereeing in the top league was bad, but in the championship it's just poor performance after poor performance from the officials. I always try to be objective about decisions but this season some of them are mind boggling. When was the last time we got a penalty, when there have been plenty of claims, but all waved away? It looks like Vigures has been hard done by with the second yellow but he needs to cut out the petulance which give refs the opportunity to book him. If we can keep 11 men on the pitch, we can beat any team in this league.

How ridiculous, that reads like the rantings of an OF fan. We were relegated last year not because of a few referring errors or decisions we disagree with but because consistently over the course of 38 games for the most part we were honking. This season we are where we are because the early part of the season we were even more honking and slowly picking up but with the mediocre players and general lack of any creative spark (demonstrated by our lack of gaols) we are probably where we deserve to be. Other than the odd additional point we should have collected, the facts are that 50% of our league wins have been against Brechin - that means out of the other 16 games against the 8 other teams we have only won 3 times - don't be fooled into conspiracy theories that we are being held back by the authorities - what's holding us back is not being good enough, which is a worrying indication of the Championship given that being this bad we still look realistic play-off contenders!!!

Why doesn't the spfl have a way of monitoring referee performances and if found to be poor consistently have some sort of penalisation, accountability. Make the referees think is that the correct decision, rather than whatever I says go because ultimatley if you have a dictatorship like that nothing good comes of it and we are seeng that in Scottish football by standards dropping.

It is very difficult not to be biased towards our own team but I haven't missed a home match this season and I have really been appalled at the difference between what has been awarded to us and what our opponents have got away with. Week in week out we seem to have had the rough end of the stick. I can sympathise with our players who mouth off at the referees, for as often as not we seem to be penalised when there is a coming together, if there is a tug at a shirt, a push, obstruction, or virtually any infringement on the field. The number of times Jake has been impeded brought down or pulled back and nothing is given seems unreal yet when we adopt similar tactics the Ref is reaching in 'his pocket before he even blows the whistle. I get irate watching from the Stand so what it must be like for those players involved on the park I dread to think. I cant 'help thinking that some sort of retro observation and decision overturning and or punishing must be implemented sometime in the future to get this wonderful game back on an even footing as it is rapidly becoming farcical at times. Okay you may say dream on, bughtmaster but there needs to be an answer to this and it is time that answer is found.

Not the case yesterday

Agree. Appreciate that the club are looking at saving money by not opening the away stand but the approach of sitting away fans in among home fans (without some basic segregation) is not acceptable

Robbo sums it up there referees are unaccountable and nothing happens when they make a hash of it. Hence the standard of officiating in Scotland is poor. Further to that was on pie and bovril and the 30 livi fans that made it were moaning they had to sit in an uncovered section of our stand ? but also they were delighted to take a point. Does that not show that teams actually are now starting to see us as a threat? If about 30 livi fans made it that's a good number of home fans from recent games today about 2200. Hopefully people are starting to seep back after relegation.

Time will tell, but given some of the players out of contract - Vigurs, Polly & Doran have been part of the team that went down and haven't as yet shown they can cigar a lower league (although their ability suggests they should), the offers that they may have thought 12 months ago to be there may not be available to them now. None have demonstrated that they are better than Championship level for anything other than patches so the level of club and associated remuneration coming forward with offers may leave them making a decision as to whether ICT is the best place to be. If that's the case the club has to make offers based on where we are and not what players think - if they can go elsewhere after that for more then that's a personal & professional decision.

There is an OF moose loose around this hoose. Time for a cull ?

A lot of positive posting that reflects what was a decent performance and very unlucky not to see the game out. Livingston were only ever going to score from a set piece and never looked like creating anything. It is clear that the standard of refereeing in the championship is poor- can the players and management acknowledge this and agree to try and crack on regardless... Team spirit again there to see. Well done and good luck to David -the legend- Raven and his family.

A thoroughly enjoyable game. As my first look at this team, I came away very impressed. Our league position is false. I was expecting a tough game from Livvy, but not in the way they planned it. That is to say, I expected a good test from the 3rd placed team in terms of football, but all we got from them was physical challenges, fouls, obstruction and blocks. They didn't offer any convincing goal threats, and were set up to park the bus and try to pick up some breaks. For the first twenty minutes we completely outclassed them, bursting forward with waves of attacks, intelligent passing and movement. Doran was at the heart of many of those, and was very unlucky not to make it two with a lovely chip over the keeper which came off the bar. With the dominance we had it was a shame we couldn't get the second we merited. Oakley deserved his place, but was constantly harried and obstructed in a very frustrating way, which was clearly part of their game plan, and so found it very difficult. The turning point was obviously the sending off, and it was the first utterly needless yellow which led to it. The second was hard to tell with the stramash in the box, but the Livvy defender went down like he had been poleaxed, so another bit of cunning play from them. But even though we expected a second half blitz, they couldn't even manage that, and in fact we had the better chances to make it two, some neat interplay again, a fizzing header cleared off the line. Their goal was always on the cards with an extra man, but the altercation which led to the free kick from which they scored looked like an absurd piece of amateur dramatics. So, even though they spurned a great chance at the death, they were fortunate to get a point, such was the lack of ideas they had, and we very nearly got three points with ten men once again. The highlight was seeing our new boy, Austin, who was fantastic as soon as he came on. Wanting the ball all the time, when he got it, he wriggled through two or three defenders more than once, and curled a lovely shot saved by the keeper. If he can keep this up, he and Doran will score goals, absolutely no doubt. Very exciting to see we might have a real prospect on our hands. Overall there was no doubt whatsoever who was the better team. As I said to my mates, this was the best football I have seen us play in a long time, and in particular is a long way better than anything Foran ever served up. Instead of that disjointed, jumbled mess, we had a team who passed the ball creatively and intelligently, ran into spaces, were compact, organised and positionally sound. We can take loads of positives from today, not least as good as two new players, Doran and Austin, who will have lots to contribute this half of the season. There is no reason we can't be in the playoffs, and although I wasn't expecting anything from St Mirren on Saturday, we can go there and give them a real game on this evidence. The only fly in the ointment was Neil McCann being at the game, who was clearly there not for a day off, but to run the rule on any players he can poach off us. So get lost, Neil. We are on the way back. But best of all, playing the kind of football we have always played at our best. Well done, Robbo.

I’m not sure what Vigurs first yellow was for. At the time I thought it was for an attempted tackle which the Livvi player skipped over. If so, it was hardly a reckless challenge - unlike Polworth’s and to me it seems he has been harshly treated. Prior to that incident there had been a couple of reckless tackles against us which went unpunished. There is just no consistency. vigurs was superb before his dismissal and with him on the park I think we would have won comfortably. Nice to see Raven get a good send off, but TBH he was mince today. Ridgers very solid again. A sound performance from Warren. Mulraney showed Polworth how to tackle. Doran was excellent. Austin looks like a great signing.

Ian Vigurs should hang his head in shame and learn to keep his mouth shut. Instead of talking about some sublime touches we are once again taking about his immature behaviour. He cost us two points today

People wonder why Vigurs is given a hard time this is why he just cant keep his mouth shut always mouthing off at the Ref's time he got a bollocking from Robbo

As we enter the dying embers of 2017, who would you rate as our most improved player of the year ? In my view, it has to be Mark Ridgers. I confess that when Robbo signed him I thought it was a terrible move and the first few months seemed to confirm that. His form was terrible, his confidence was shot and it was abundantly clear that the defence had no confidence in him. We were haemorrhaging goals and Mark was directly at fault for many. I was surely not alone in wondering why we were paying OFW a relative fortune and not playing him. Mark was dropped, rightly so and not before time. However, when he got his turn again he seemed a transformed player grapping the opportunity, both literally and metaphorically, with both hands. He is now a safe, competent and, above all, confident 'keeper who has made game winning or game saving saves time and time again. It's clear that the defence have much more confidence in him and that has given them the freedom to play much better. I still wonder why we are paying OFW so much for no return but I no longer wonder why we are not playing him. So, well done Mark Ridgers, my choice as our most improved player of the year. Congratulations and keep up the good work for 2018.

Looking at the new signings first: Ridgers: much improved after a shaky start. Donaldson: a class act. He also cares deeply. His celebration at Tannadice was great to watch against his former team. Bell: a bit inconsistent, but chipping in with valuable goals. Trafford: looks good, but I feel we have yet to see what he can really do. Seedorf: looked good until he got suspended and injured. Feedback from Saturday was good, so fingers crossed! Chalmers: has developed pretty well. I really enjoyed his performance at Dundee United. Baird, Oakley and Calder: cannot fault Baird's commitment, but none delivering consistently. Elbouzedi: sounded positive preseason. Remains to be seen if he will add quality. Zschussen: not seen him play and sounds like I am the lucky one ? Cooper and Elsdon: won't complain if both leave in January. Turning to those here last season: Fon Williams: any interest from anywhere? It is time for him to move on. Mackay: seems the regular back up now which is good, presumably leaving Esson purely as a coach come the summer. Raven: shame he is off, but he goes with my best wishes and leaves a lot of memories. Tremarco: really surprised he signed an extension, but delighted he did. Arguably he should take on the captaincy when Warren not playing, as his workrate and commitment set a great example. Mckay: the most improved of those here last year. He and Donaldson are doing well as a pairing. Warren: still a big figure, but rightly taking a back seat on current form. Vigurs: gets some stick, but real quality and he cares. We really need him. Polworth: inconsistent, but his potential is clear. Here's to a big second half of the season from him! Mulraney: has had a decent half season, Doran: good to see him back, and I'm sure he will be starting soon. Hope I've not missed anyone! It was good to see young Daniel Mackay feature a couple of times. If the play offs (at both ends) seem unlikely, hopefully he and other youngsters get some game time. All in all, we are in a better place than a few months ago, and hopefully push on, starting at Brechin on Saturday.