The future of Livingston appeared to be secured on Thursday after the club were sold to the 'Livingston 5' consortium.

The debt-ridden West Lothian outfit had been on the brink of going bust earlier this month but have now been rescued by former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall and ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine.

McDougall becomes the club's new chairman, with ex-Livi director Ged Nixon taking the post of chief executive.

The news came on the day Livi had their appeal heard against their relegation to the Irn-Bru Third Division for breaching the Scottish Football Association's insolvency rules.

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

McGruther had since been frantically trying to negotiate a sale of the club to the Livingston 5 consortium, whose initial rescue plan had been based on Livi remaining in the First Division.

The club dramatically refused to play last weekend's opening Third Division game of the season at East Stirlingshire as they feared prejudicing their appeal against their relegation. They are likely to lose that appeal at Hampden.

Thursday's takeover announcement appears to demonstrate the consortium's readiness to run the club whichever division they end up in.

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 they had been granted a safety certificate for Almondvale Stadium, allowing them to host matches this season.