MORTON boss Allan Moore watched his side exit the Co-operative Insurance Cup last night - then said St Johnstone’s finishing made the difference.

Ton competed well against their higher-league opponents but strikes from Scott Dobie and Murray Davidson sent Saints through to the third round.

And Moore reckons the performance bodes well for the season ahead. He said: “We’ll go away with our heads held high as we’ve more than stood up for ourselves against SPL opposition.

“We could have had a couple of goals but their keeper pulled off two good saves and St Johnstone have put two chances away, and that’s the difference between the teams.

“But creating goalscoring opportunities has been our worry this season. Hopefully, we can address that at Raith on Saturday.

“We can focus on the league now and that’s our priority - but I’d rather still be the cup.” Moore set his side up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Graeme Holmes operating behind lone front man Stewart Kean. There were starts for Kevin Cuthbert, Stewart Greacen and youngsters Ryan Kane and Nathan Shephard.

Although the Perth side had the better of the opening exchanges, it was Morton who manufactured the first clear goalscoring opportunity in the 17th minute.

Michael Tidser pinged a 40-yard cross-field pass out to Carlo Monti, who turned Alan Maybury inside out before standing up a cross which Ryan Kane met with a looping header, but Saints goalkeeper Graeme Smith caught with ease.

Morton were coping with everything the home side were throwing at them until Dobie opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

The former Scotland international outjumped Shephard to nod home a Collin Samuel cross after the Trinidadian had shrugged off the attentions of Grant Evans.

St Johnstone came close to extending their lead in the 35th minute when Samuel flicked the ball past Evans and smashed a shot just wide.

Kevin Cuthbert had to tip a wayward Cleveland Taylor cross over the bar then Sam Parkin sent a diving header wide of the post as St Johnstone piled on the pressure.

Morton were playing some attractive football, but there was little cutting edge in the final third and Saints went in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

Moore replaced Holmes with Peter Weatherson five minutes after the interval in the search for an equaliser, but it was the home team who continued to create the better chances.

In the 57th minute, Samuel’s cross fell invitingly for Taylor but his sweetly-struck half-volley was expertly blocked by Cuthbert.

The Ton keeper had to look sharp a minute later when he flew to his right to push Danny Grainger’s free-kick around the post.

Morton gradually forced their way back into the match and had a strong 10-minute spell midway through the half.

Weatherson flicked Monti’s near-post cross into the side netting then glanced a header from a corner inches wide of the post.

Monti’s set-pieces were causing problems and Stuart McCaffrey almost scored from his free-kick in the 71st minute, but Smith threw up a hand to block his bullet header and preserve his side’s lead.

And just when it looked like Morton might grab an equaliser, St Johnstone put the result beyond doubt on 78 minutes when Davidson fired home from close range after substitute Marcus Haber’s low cross ricocheted into his path.

Saints gaffer Derek McInnes said: “It was a difficult game, but I’m delighted with our approach to it and pleased to get into the next round.”