Livingston have failed to overturn their relegation to the Irn-Bru Third Division following a hearing at Hampden.

The West Lothian club lost an appeal against their relegation from the First Division by 16 votes to 10 at a special general meeting on Thursday afternoon. Livi, who were punished following a court's decision to appoint an interim manager to take control of their finances, must now decide whether to take their case to the Scottish Football Association.

The SFL clubs' decision decision ratifies promotion for Airdrie and Cowdenbeath - who were excluded from the vote along with Livi and associate members Annan. However, there remains uncertainty over when Livingston will begin their league season.

An SFL spokesman could not confirm whether their scheduled match against Montrose would go ahead on Saturday as the club have yet to decide whether to lodge an appeal with the SFA.

While Airdrie and Cowdenbeath kicked off their campaigns in higher divisions than initially anticipated, Livi refused to play Third Division East Stirlingshire last Saturday to avoid prejudicing their appeal. The club face further sanctions for their refusal to fulfil the fixture.

That punishment may also be severe after SFL president Brown McMaster claimed the crime was worse than Hamilton's failure to to field a team nine years ago after their players refused to play, a move that saw the club docked 15 points. The decision over a further appeal will be one of the first acts facing the 'Livingston 5' consortium, who completed their takeover of the club earlier on Thursday.

Former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall and ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine led the group that secured a deal with interim manager Donald McGruther, whose firm Mazars took control from previous owner Angelo Massone. McDougall becomes the club's new chairman, with ex-Livi director Ged Nixon taking the post of chief executive.

Livi were put into the hands of McGruther last month after West Lothian Council took legal action to reclaim a £330,000 debt.

McGruther said: "I am delighted that the club now has a future in Scottish football and wish the new owners every success."

The club also announced on Thursday they had been granted a safety certificate for Almondvale Stadium, allowing them to host matches this season.