GUTTED Jim Duffy says last night’s narrow loss to Hibs was a bitter pill to swallow because it was such a basic error at an inopportune time that gifted the Edinburgh outfit the three points.

A misjudgement by defender Lee Kilday was ruthlessly exploited when Anthony Stokes stabbed home what turned out to be the winner in a narrow 1-0 victory at Cappielow.

After another disciplined defensive display against one of the division’s big two, Duffy was hugely disappointed to concede in such a sloppy manner and so early in the second half.

However, the Morton manager, right, also pointed to his side’s continued lack of quality in the final third as a problem that has haunted them this term.

He told the Tele: “I think we deserved more from the game, but I’m frustrated because I feel we’re a better side than what we 
showed.

“Hibs are a fantastic side and the quality of the squad they’ve got was shown by the players they changed and brought into the team tonight.

“We understood that and how difficult a task it was going to be, but I think Gats [Derek Gaston] has only got one real save to make in the 90 minutes, which is from James Keatings’ header.

“Other than that we were really organised and worked really hard. But don’t get me wrong, we didn’t test Mark Oxley – and that’s something we have to improve on.

“Generally speaking, throughout the 90 minutes, I thought we worked really hard and the attitude was terrific and the organisation was good, but the final ball was our weakness once again.

“It has been all season really and it’s continued to haunt us a little bit, because we get into some good positions but pick the wrong option time and time again.

“Once Hibs went in front it was difficult to break them down — and it’s difficult to take because it was just a mistake in the early part of the second half.

“If Hibs come up with something, come up with the goods — and they have the quality to do that — then you grudgingly accept it. But when you gift them a goal then it’s sorer to take.

“The thing that frustrated me is the way the goal came about. The players know, we have certain basics and instructions that we write in stone really.

“That went out their heads for a few seconds and cost us the game. But it wasn’t just the type of goal, it was also when, coming in the early part of the second half.

“After the goal they responded really well defensively, and, listen, any player can make a mistake. The best players all over the country make mistakes.

“When you’re the last defender and you make a mistake, there’s no hiding place, and even the finish was toe-poked or scuffed, and that’s what happens when you’re a natural finisher.

“We understand where we are in comparison to Hibs, and we made it difficult for them as we did with Rangers, but ultimately we end up with no points, so we’ve got to make sure we regroup.”

The home crowd vehemently disagreed with the Cappielow gaffer’s decision to replace Bobby Barr in the 76th minute and made their feelings known.

But Duffy revealed that the winger had been ill going into the game and spent the interval vomiting in the toilets, and said the substitution took that into consideration.

He explained: “The fans got frustrated and made their views known but Bobby has had a stomach upset for the last couple of days and was really weak.

“He was in the loo before we came back out after half-time. I think he was in three times and we had to ask the referee to wait.

“So he was running on empty. Although he was keen to stay on, you make a decision taking everything into consideration and that you think can hopefully impact the game.

“But listen, it’s not about criticising fans. I don’t criticise fans because I think they’re totally entitled to air their views, but sometimes they don’t know all the circumstances.”