MORTON suffered a frustrating 3-2 loss to Raith Rovers after twice pegging back their play-off rivals at Stark’s Park this afternoon.

Fresh from their stunning 3-0 victory at Hibs on Wednesday, Ton arrived arrive in Fife full of optimism despite being minus the services of the injured Conor Pepper and suspended Bobby Barr.

They got off to a less than auspicious start, though, conceding after just seven minutes when Raith left-back Rory McKeown caught out Derek Gaston with a surprise shot from fully 35 yards.

It took until the 73rd minute for the visitors to equalise, Declan McManus side-footing Paul McMullan’s low cross into the net after clever play by Ross Forbes and the Celtic loanee.

But they were on level terms for just two minutes due to a defensive mix up leaving Aidan Connolly the simple task of rolling into an empty net.

Ton showed incredible character to fight back for a second time when McManus pressured the Raith defence and got his reward, scoring with a finish that eventually squeezed over the line.

Yet they rather astonishingly allowed their guard to drop again and were suitably punished when sub Ryan Hardie waltzed around a handful of challenges and poked past a hesitant Gaston.

Again they had conceded just two minutes after restoring parity, and the fact the goal came in the 89th minute not only rubbed salt in the wounds but left little time for a third fightback.

To lose in such a manner was exasperating in the extreme for all those associated with the Cappielow club, who will now look to respond in the right manner at Livingston on Tuesday.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Kilday ©, O’Ware, Lamie, Russell; McCluskey, McKee, Forbes (Miller, 87), McMullan (Quitongo, 81); Johnstone, McManus.

Subs not used: Scullion, Tennent, Tiffoney, Strapp, McNeil (gk).

Booked: McManus (52), McKee (59), Lamie (90+2).

Raith Rovers (4-4-2): Cuthbert; Thomson ©, Toshney, Davidson, McKeown; Connolly (Anderson, 82), Callachan, Robertson, Craigen (Hardie, 64); Stewart (McCord, 82), Panayiotou.

Subs not used: Matthews, Court, Barr, Law (gk).

Booked: Toshney (36), McCord (84), Davidson (90+4).

Attendance: 1,633 Referee: Mat Northcroft