MORTON penalty hero Andy McNeil was delighted with his shootout saves because he reckons the bonus point could prove vital in his side’s bid to make it out of their League Cup section.

The SPFL shook up the competition this term by introducing a group stage in which any draws would head straight to spot-kicks.

After a goalless tie with Albion Rovers in their opening fixture at the weekend, the Cappielow club came out on top from 12 yards, with McNeil producing stops to thwart Alan Reid and Gary Fisher.

The goalkeeper always liked the innovation but that feeling was strengthened after earning his side an additional point that might make the difference when it comes to advancing from Group H.

He told the Tele: “Going straight to the penalties is interesting. They do similar things like that in the rugby with bonus points.

"I think it’s quite good that the SPFL are quite open to trying new things and new ideas, and I think it adds a wee bit to it otherwise you’ve got a 0-0 draw in the first game of the season and it’s a bit flat.

“But then you get the penalties and it’s a little bit more exciting for the supporters, and even as players it added a wee edge to it.

“I mean, I look forward to saving penalties and I wanted to win the penalty shootout to get the extra point, because that could be the difference between us qualifying and not qualifying.

“In a shootout you’ve got five penalties, so you’ve got the chance of saving one. 

“It’s always more difficult in game because you are normally against the [opposition’s] best penalty taker.

“When you’re getting down to five guys and beyond that, you’re getting down to players who maybe aren’t as well practiced or confident, and that gives you a wee chance.

“They’re always the favourite but if somebody isn’t confident or doesn’t catch it right you’ve got to get there to make the save. So as I say it was enjoyable for me because it was good to get that extra point and to be able to get involved in winning that.”