MORTON striker Thomas Orr was left crestfallen after failing to help East Stirling save their League Two status — but believes his Shire experience will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career.

Lethal Ton Under-20s hitman Orr moved to Ochilview on loan in January, scoring four goals in his first six appearances before the side really started to struggle and chances dried up.

And Craig Tully’s team dropped out of the Scottish Professional Football League on Saturday after a two-legged play-off pyramid defeat to Lowland outfit Edinburgh City.

Although the teenager was disconsolate in the immediate aftermath of the demotion and struggling to look beyond it, he says the loan spell has made him more appreciative of what he has at Morton.

Speaking exclusively to the Tele following Saturday’s 1-0 loss, a visibly dejected Orr said: “I’m just gutted — gutted.

“The season’s just not good enough. 

“At the end of the day, what matters was getting results and staying in the league and it didn’t happen.

“Everybody is devastated. People like the physios are a big part of the club and do the job in their free time just because they’re fans.

“It’s devastating for the club to be going into the Lowland League now, and for a lot of the boys that’s money and everything. It’s hard to take.

“I might only be here on loan but it’s no different - it feels just the exact same. 

“You don’t want to be a part of anything like this; you don’t want to be a part of relegation.

“I had a good start and scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 win against Queen’s Park at Hampden was probably the highlight - this is the lowest point, and the lowest point of my career yet.

“Of course I’ll learn from this and the benefits will come later on. But right now I’m not really focused on that, right now I just want this day over.

“It’ll be next season that I’ll realise what I’ve taken out of it when I’m back at Morton. It is miles apart from playing for Morton, totally different.

“You’re playing with better players at Morton, getting more chances. 

“There are a lot more high balls whereas at Morton you get more balls into feet that are easier to control.

“Now that I’ve been out on loan I definitely appreciate Morton even more.”

The 19-year-old recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Ton and his aim is to break into Jim Duffy’s first-team plans next term.

He added: “I signed for another year last Friday and that was good at the time, although it’s not what’s on my mind right now.

“I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before so it’s something that’ll take time to get over.

“Then I’ll look forward to next season and kicking on.

“My ambition for next season is to break into the first-team and score goals. Would I go out on loan again? 

“I’m concentrating on playing with Morton just now and will see what happens from there.

“The club did well to finish fifth in the Championship and hopefully I can be part of the team. 

“Morton are a club on the up and hopefully it will be a better season for me next year.”