MORTON manager Jim Duffy felt his team deserved better after coming away from the Falkirk Stadium empty-handed. 

All expectations were on the home men to complete the job and claim the second place they felt they deserved.

But Duffy told the Tele: “I think over the 90 minutes we were definitely unlucky to lose the game. 

“Obviously Derek Gaston had a fantastic save just before half-time and then we lost a sloppy goal early in the second half.

“I thought Falkirk were the better team in the first half. they passed the ball well and their movement was good. 

“They didn’t have too many clear cut chances but certainly they were the better team. 

“In the second half I definitely thought we were the better team and over the 90 minutes we were unlucky not to get something from the game. 

“One thing from my point of view though was the players showed a magnificent attitude and professionalism and they’ve done that all season, so I have to credit them for that.”

Many thought the Ton had sneaked an equaliser in the 87th minute when Declan McManus had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled offside.

McManus led the protests at the decision but Duffy was unsure.
He said: “Very tight call. Where we are we can’t see it. 

“You would have to be in line to see it but the players always say they weren’t offside. 

“It was a tight call but at the end of the day I can’t say whether or not it was offside.”

Duffy was in reflective mood as is often the case at the end of a long hard-fought season and can look back with some pride on his team’s performances. 

He was also very quick to give credit to the hosts, saying: “You’ve got to congratulate Falkirk for finishing second. 

“It’s an outstanding achievement and they’ve done a fantastic job.”
Reflecting on the season, Duffy added: “Our professionalism has been unquestionable the whole season. 

“Every game we’ve competed well and for the team to finish fifth in our first season back up I think is a good marker for us. 

“We’re obviously a wee bit frustrated as you always want a bit more. 

“You would have liked to have been a bit closer to Raith but their consistency was outstanding. 

“From my point of view as a manager you look at the commitment and the effort, all the adjectives you use to describe and I’ve had that in abundance from the players and no lack of ability as well and today I think was similar to some of the games we’ve played we’ve put a lot into the game and not got as much out. 

“We’ll re-group, have a look at again in the summer and we’ll try and go again next year in another unbelievably tough Championship.”

Duffy can indeed look back on a job well done this term, and with a new two-year contract in place, can look to build on the successes of this season going forward.