MORTON suffered their first defeat in this season’s Reserve League Cup as Queen of the South ran out 2-0 victors at Parklea yesterday.

Prior to the Doonhamers’ visit, David Hopkin’s side looked to be cruising towards a spot in the semi-final having won all three of their matches in the west section to date.

The most recent of those victories was recorded against Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium by a Ton team replete with first-team regulars.

Yesterday’s fixture saw a return to a more traditional reserve team line-up, with the bulk of the side made up of development squad players.

There were also starts for Garry O’Connor, Thomas O’Ware, Joe McKee, and goalkeeper Nicolas Caraux, who was back in action for the first time since suffering recovering from a groin problem.

And the French custodian was given a thorough examination by Queens — their No7 Dean Smith in particular — in the first half. The lively winger cut in off the right flank and let fly with his left foot time and again, forcing Caraux into at least three strong saves in the opening half hour.

He had goalkeeping coach David Wylie singing his praises for a fine reflex save to deny Conn. However, he came under fire from boss Hopkin just 60 seconds later when his short pass eventually ended with the visitors opening the scoring.

Caraux’s shot-stopping was not in question as he pulled off another fine save to thwart former Ton midfielder Derek Young, but he could do little to prevent Aidan Smith from nodding in the rebound.

Saturday’s first-team match at Raith Rovers hinged on a controversial refereeing decision – and there was a similar moment in the 56th minute in Port Glasgow yesterday.

With David McNeil haring in on goal with just keeper Calum Antell to beat, Doonhamers defender Scott Hopper slid in and clipped the teenager’s heels to prevent him pulling the trigger.

It was a clear goal-scoring opportunity but referee Steve Reid decided the foul was only worthy of a yellow card, prompting fury on the Ton bench and amongst the players.

Queens made the most of the let-off by adding a second on 71 minutes, Graham dispossessing Nicky Jamieson before feeding Dean Smith, who rifled low into the bottom-right corner to seal the win.

Morton (4-1-2-1-2): Caraux (7); Knight (6), Jamieson (4), O’Ware (6), Russell (6); Verlaque (5); Cairnie (5) (Smith 62, 4), Fulton (5) (O’Neil 38, 6); McKee (6); O’Connor (6), McNeil (6) (Lamont 78, 2) Subs not used: Irvine, Ferris.