By Mark Hendry

MORTON defender Thomas O’Ware believes his side have benefited from his defensive pairing with Ton captain Lee Kilday — and said that the duo’s on-field understanding is improving with every 90 minutes.

O’Ware and Kilday have been rock solid at the heart of Morton’s defence since the beginning of the season, and the former puts that down to the fact that the two have settled well into the pairing.

But O’Ware also had praise for the rest of the Ton back line who have looked continuously dogged and determined so far this campaign.

He told the Tele: “It’s a physically bigger back four than we had last year, with Ricki playing at full-back and Doyley [Michael Doyle] coming in.

“Lee [Kilday] and I have formed a really good partnership over the summer.

“I think it’s a good foundation to build on. If we’re not scoring loads of goals it’s always important to defend well. 

“I’m enjoying playing next to Lee. I think we’ve both got a good understanding of how each other play, so it’s a good foundation for the rest of the team.”

Morton currently sit sixth in the Ladbrokes Championship table after a third consecutive 1-1 draw, with O’Ware saying he is relatively satisfied with the start his side have made to the new season.

He added: “It’s been three draws, which isn’t a bad start because obviously we’ve not been beaten yet. A point isn’t a bad result in this division.”

The defender also spoke about Saturday’s game against Dumbarton and admitted his side were fortunate to come away with anything from a poor performance at Cappielow.

Ton were handed a reprieve by referee Mat Northcroft when a late Joe Thomson effort was chalked off for an apparent foul on Derek Gaston, but O’Ware wasn’t convinced there was anything in it.

Yet the 23-year-old believes Morton could, and should, have nicked all three points in the final few minutes of Saturday’s action.

He said: “I think in the end, we got a bit lucky. I don’t think their goal should have been chalked off, it looked very harsh.

I think the referee gave it for a foul on our goalkeeper, but we got very lucky.

“We should’ve won the game though in the last five minutes. We’ve missed three sitters and we need to take our chances.”

But despite the frustration of a poor performance at the weekend, O’Ware says his team showed that they are made from sterner stuff this season.

The home side managed to grind out a result which they perhaps didn’t deserve, which, according to O’Ware, shows the mark of a more resilient Ton.

He said: “It shows character that we’ve come back into the game. We do have a good team spirit and we managed to haul it back, so maybe that is the sign of a good team; one that when you’re not playing well you’re still getting a point here and there.

“Morton fans will be looking at this game saying we should win it, but Dumbarton are a good side. You’re not going to walk over anyone in this league.”