MORTON captain Grant Gillespie cut a dejected figure after his side's play off chances slipped away from them with the midweek draw against Ayr.

The Ton midfielder has held his hands up for the part he played in United netting their equaliser and told of his frustration over it. 

He believes that the strike changed the whole dynamic of the game as the momentum shifted in favour of the Honest Men.

Although Ton were able to hold on for a point, in the grand scheme of things it wasn't enough after Airdrie's ruthless victory over Raith Rovers saw them take a huge step towards sealing a place in the top four.

Gillespie said: "If you'd have offered us a point before the game we'd have taken it. But given how much we were on top in the first half, to concede right on half-time was a total sucker punch.

"Coming out in the second half, we never really got going.

"Ayr probably had the better of the chances in the second half, so on the balance of things you'd take the point.

"We now look to Friday night [against Dundee United] to try and build a bit of momentum but we are aware that Airdrie winning on Tuesday night did us no favours.

"The goal changed the whole direction of the game.

"If we were to go into half time 1-0 up we'd have come out into the second half with a lead to defend. We might've seen a different game in the second half if that's the case. But it wasn't to be.

"For their goal, I believe that I can do better. I could've stopped the cross coming in and he put it right on his striker's head.

"It's a decent finish to be fair but from my point of view it's a sloppy goal to concede, so from that aspect it's disappointing."

Ton now face a Friday night fixture with title-chasing Dundee United coming to Cappielow looking to strengthen their grip on the Championship trophy.

Despite the hectic schedule, Gillespie is adamant that his side are more than capable of being ready for the clash.

He added: "We've done it before earlier on in the season and we'll do it again tomorrow night.

"It's part and parcel of the demands of being a professional footballer.

"We've got a good and professional group here who'll recover well and be ready to go for the game against Dundee United tomorrow night."