MORTON manager Davie Irons parted company with the Cappielow club this morning after one embarrassing defeat too many.

The 3-0 defeat at Stark's Park was the final blow for Ton chairman Douglas Rae and his board of directors. The decision was made in the aftermath of that loss to sack the manager.

Chairman Douglas Rae stated: "The club greatly regretted the need for change but as football is a results driven business, change was imperitive.

"Taking account of the last four league matches of last season, coupled with the first six matches of this current season, the team has managed only one victory and nine defeats, scoring four goals and losing 22.

"Notwithstanding our current position in the First Division, the club will not be rushed into making a quick new appointments. Applications would be welcomed from suitable qualified managers who have a sound current knowledge of the SFL." Irons' immediate remit was to prevent the club from going down to the Second Division in the final 11 games of the season before last, a task he achieved, but there followed a depressing opening quarter of his first full season in charge in which the club failed to win a match.

There was a recovery, but this was followed by four straight defeats at the end of last season.

Now five defeats out of the opening six league games, in which Morton have scored just twice for the loss of 14 goals, has brought about the parting of the ways.

Morton's immediate task will be to regroup in time for next Saturday's home match against fellow strugglers Airdrie, a game that now assumes considerable importance. The senior players will take training during the week and will remain in charge until a new man is appointed.

After Saturday's match Morton manager Davie Irons claimed he would fight on, saying: "I'm not a quitter - I've never been a quitter. It might be out my hands, but certainly I'm not a quitter and I'll fight for as long as it takes to try and turn it round.

"It's easy to walk away and become part of the crowd, join the crowd and be part of the criticism.

"But to stand up and take the criticism, take the flak, is tough.

"I'm not going to walk away from it." As for the performance, Irons commented: "Disappointment again. It's the same old story at the moment.

"It's hard to take again, very difficult to take. It really is a very difficult situation now.

"There's only six games gone in the season, we've got to keep going. There's only one way [forward] and that's to keep working hard and try to improve things.

"Last season we were defensively very sound, but at the moment we're not." On the second goal Irons said: "The worst part was Stevie Masterton and Neil MacFarlane got in each other's way when we've got possession.

"One falls on his backside, the other one stepped back. Raith Rovers pick the ball up and they go up and score.

"Just like the first goal. We've got safe possession, but the goalkeeper tried to be clever, tries to play a pass. Just get it up the park.

"We put it out for a throw. They take a quick throw and you know what happened. That's what I mean about responsibility." Raith boss John McGlynn was determined his side would keep their feet on the ground after their terrific start on their return to the First Division.

"We're delighted with the three points today. It's a long way to go. We're not kidding ourselves on.

"Everyone's capable of beating the other on their particular day.

"We just have to do the best we possibly can. The lads are working hard and they couldn't possibly do any more."