Jim Duffy: We deserved more from derby

Morton manager Jim Duffy felt his side deserved more than a draw from yesterday’s Renfrewshire derby against St Mirren.

The Ton laid siege to the Saints goal in the first 30 minutes of the Championship curtain raiser and took the lead through Thomas O’Ware’s 17th-minute header.

But substitute striker John Sutton popped up with a late leveller to rescue a point and deny the Greenock men that elusive victory against their local rivals.

Cappielow boss Duffy was disappointed not to have left Paisley with maximum points but still took time to praise his team’s efforts on the day.

Speaking to gmfc.net, he said: “We’re disappointed not to win because I think we merited the win with our performance. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“I thought the overall display was terrific and the first half was inventive, productive, we were a threat, had efforts at goal and we really took the game to St Mirren. We could have put the game to bed and if we had got a second goal I definitely think we would have.

“In the second half, we looked very secure and it was one effort. From John Sutton’s point of view that’s the stuff he’s based his career on.

“The cross has come in and he has got the run on you and there’s not a lot you can do about it. You’ve got to take that sometimes – you can lose a goal in any game of football.

“Coming to St Mirren with the firepower they’ve got, I can’t remember Derek [Gaston] having too much to do, so overall we were a bit unfortunate not to get three points, but I think the performance should be complimented, particularly the effort the players put in.

“If before the game somebody said you would come here and take a point in the first game of the season you wouldn’t be too unhappy, but with the way the game unfolded, we are unhappy.

“I felt with a wee break here or there – like with the one Tiff [Scott Tiffoney] put over in the second half and ricocheted out to Gary [Oliver] but hit him on the shin and fell to the goalie – could have made the difference between one point and three points.

“But that’s football for you. I’m not going to be too critical at all because the players deserve a lot of plaudits for today. There were no failures. And I certainly think that we’ve shown people once again that we’ll compete as good as anybody in this division.”

Photograph: David Bell