Kurtis Guthrie launched an astonishing attack on match referee Grant Irvine, branding the official 'arrogant' for refusing to take a second look at a possible penalty shout for Livingston during the first half of their 1-0 defeat by Hibs at the weekend.

The former Forest Green Rovers striker had a coming-together with visiting midfielder Joe Newell just inside the Hibs penalty area but was incensed when the whistler signalled a free kick to Nick Montgomery's side and didn't review the challenge.

"It was 100 per cent a penalty. But when you're the little club playing the big club and the run is going against you, you just don't get them," a fuming Guthrie said after the game. 

"There's nothing you can do, it's just the way it goes up here. The referee gave a foul against me, and then when I asked him if he'd at least have a look back at it, he just said no. It's a waste of time. They want you to speak to them but then when you try to they're not interested. People like that are just too arrogant."

The forward suggested it didn't make sense to have the ability to review situations if officials weren't going to have a second look at controversial, and in some cases, game-changing, incidents.

"What's the point in having the technology and not looking at it? They are the ones you have got to have a look at. In the position we are in, surely they understand the context that we're fighting for points. I can't understand it at all. The bigger teams get the decisions against the smaller teams and you see it all the time up here. At this point now, I'm not even surprised," he added.

Livingston haven't won since a 2-0 victory over Motherwell on October 7, and haven't scored a goal since Sean Kelly's penalty in a 3-1 defeat by Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on October 21. Guthrie recognises that everyone is fighting for points but feels the Lions' need is currently greater than any of their league rivals. 

"Any moment like that is crucial in the game. Points are points and everyone's fighting for them, but we just need them a bit more right now.

"That can give you a boost and change the course you're on. When they don't give you an opportunity to even look at it, and have no explanation as to why, it's just ridiculous," he sighed. 
Guthrie's manager David Martindale revealed in his own post-match remarks that the official had said his decision to award Hibs the free kick was because the 30-year-old had initiated contact.

"If I'm taking the ball in, I'm protecting the ball. If my leg is planted and someone comes through my standing leg, how is that initiating contact? Are you not meant to protect the football? That's what the game is all about, getting your body in a good position so they have to go through you to get to the ball. Then you get nothing for it," he added. 

"Points are points and everyone's fighting for them, but we just need them a bit more right now. That can give you a boost and change the course you're on. When they don't give you an opportunity to even look at it, and have no explanation as to why, it's just ridiculous. It's a waste of time. People will fob you off, someone will give a pathetic excuse and then it moves on."