Livingston manager Gary Holt has called for referees to explain themselves more after failing to be placated over their denied penalty against Dundee.

Steven Lawless had the yellow card he received for simulation in Saturday's 2-1 defeat rescinded on Wednesday.

Holt says he received some form of admission from Scottish Football Association head of referees John Fleming that referee Greg Aitken should have awarded a penalty for Jesse Curran's challenge.

The scores were tied with 12 minutes to go when the flashpoint happened and Holt feels he should have had some feedback from Aitken over a decision which "could have cost" him his job.

Holt said: "I think it was an honest decision he gave but with the technology that's out there, there is no benefit to us to get a thinly veiled apology and a yellow card rescinded, because everyone and their mum, boy, granny and grandpa knew it was a penalty apart from the referee.

"We still get no points. Everyone bangs the drum that we have not won in nine, when that could have been our chance."

On his discussions with Fleming, Holt said: "To an extent he has admitted it was a penalty and he has fed that back to Greg, and Steven Lawless got his yellow card rescinded.

"It's a bittersweet victory as such but it doesn't placate me. I can't turn round and say, 'can we take the penalty?'.

"That could cost me my job. Do I get another job in two weeks' time? No. But does the referee get another game? Aye, probably."

Holt, whose team host Kilmarnock on Saturday, hopes there can be better communication between managers and match officials.

"I think our referees are of a good standard, and some are of a very good standard," he said. "If it was a mistake, it's a mistake but why can't a referee come out afterwards, maybe not straight after the game, but maybe on a Monday morning, phone me up and say they made a mistake?

"We all make mistakes but I'm open enough and honest enough to hold my hands up when I make a mistake.

"Whether refs are gagged or whether it's appropriate, but I think everyone would take to them more if they could be honest. And can we bring in VAR, can we get full-time referees, can we get the structure in place to make them better?

"I firmly believe you treat people how you would like to be treated. I treat referees with the same respect.

"I never harangue them, I never had a go at Greg in an aggressive manner. I tried to speak to him, whether he wanted to listen. I was just asking a question.

"I treat people with respect and honesty, I don't always get it back,  but as long as I know where I'm coming from, it's fine.

"But I don't think there are open lines, it's something I think could be made better."