Theo Bair took his tally to 15 for the season
David Martindale insists his Livingston side are capable of an immediate return after a battering at Motherwell ended their six-year stay in the Scottish Premiership.
Any prospect of a great escape became more implausible as a dubious penalty was rifled home emphatically by the hosts' Theo Bair.
The visiting manager thought his side had a lifeline as Scott Pittman nodded home, only for the referee to bring play back for a foul in the build-up.
The West Lothian side have had a frustrating campaign, but could only watch on in astonishment as Sam Nicholson cracked a stunning strike off the bar to double the home lead.
Bair's brilliant header and Dan Casey's easy finish proved the final nails in the coffin, as Livingston went down to the Championship with a whimper, despite Joel Nouble's consolation.
"If the club want me here, I'll be here fighting and doing everything I can to get the club back to the Premiership," Martindale said.
"For next year, the aim is to go straight back up. But we're not Hearts or Dundee United. We don't have the same budget. I honestly feel we're capable."
Livingston had kicked the door ever so slightly ajar with victory over nearest rivals Ross County last weekend, and carried that momentum with a bright start.
But any positivity was punctured when VAR gave Bair the platform to strike from the spot.
That feeling of frustration intensified as Pittman’s leveller was chopped off, with the referee ruling that Paul McGinn had been fouled by Bruce Anderson in the build up.
Anger became astonishment when Nicholson offered up a late goal of the season contender, after the usually lethal Bair had missed a gilt-edged header.
The visitors seemed resigned to their fate and barely looked like offering a retort.
Georgie Gent was given freedom to roam, picking out Bair for the striker's second, with Casey bundling home at a corner to pile the misery on Martindale's men.
Livingston made a name as the underdogs punching above their weight, but even Nouble's looping header beyond Liam Kelly didn't register a blow.
It did, however, give their fans one final moment of celebration in a turgid season.
Player of the match - Georgie Gent (Motherwell)
What a revelation Gent (right) has been. With boundless energy and fantastic delivery, he may have been overlooked by some this awards season.
A mountain too high for Livingston - analysis
Not many folk expected Livingston to last as long in the Premiership as they did.
Their time in the top flight has seen Martindale turn the lowest budget in the division into a proper surprise package. A wee machine that churned out great team performances and their fair share of upsets.
Finacial issues have grown, with off-the-field upheaval making this season the one the manager admitted would be his biggest challenge. A challenge, it turns out, too much to overcome.
At times this term, there has been the odd flash of light - though far too scarce to offer any real chance of upsetting the odds.
Livingston's often-chastised support will relish the memories of top-six finishes, European challenges and even a cup final. Now though, it's a huge rebuild and the Championship to contend with.
For Motherwell, this was a comfortable showing in a season that is already effectively over.
They could have downed tools in the bottom six with safety all but assured, but they picked off their sorry opposition with a swagger.
The link-up between left-back Gent and the lethal Bair is fast becoming one of the Premiership's most entertaining sights. Stuart Kettlewell will be doing well to have both in ML1 past the summer.
What they said
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "There was moments in the game today when I thought our football was fantastic. It wasn't sustained enough.
"We've not achieved anything, we want to be a football club that's higher than we are at this moment in time. What we have done is stood together during some really tough times. I think our form's been excellent since the turn of the year."
Livingston manager David Martindale: "I think I've been able to mentally prepare for this day for a long time now. This was a high probabality that this was going to happen.
"We've never been in the premiership for six years. We've done that. We broke history, it's really important that doesn't get lost."
What's next?
Motherwell face the long trip to Ross County next Saturday (15:00 BST), while Livingston host St Johnstone at the same time.
