MORTON surrendered their 100 per cent home record with an awful 1-0 defeat to Ayr United at Cappielow this afternoon.

Jim Duffy’s men went down by the same scoreline at Somerset Park on the opening day of the campaign and have since gone on to lose three of the following four away fixtures.

They have fared better at home, however, having won four out of four in Greenock, including last week’s 2-0 victory against Stirling Albion.

And they might well have extended that run had Andy Barrowman converted a gilt-edged chance on 18 minutes, but the hitman saw his placed effort blocked by David Hutton.

Ton were made to pay on 36 minutes when former Ton midfielder Scott McLaughlin slammed home a loose ball after goalkeeper Derek Gaston failed to grasp Michael Donald’s low cross.

The hosts sought an equaliser but were largely disjointed in their efforts - with far too many players off the pace - and failed to pose the experienced Ayr back four much trouble.

On the one occasion they did threaten to level the score, Declan McManus saw his placed-effort superbly headed off the line by another old boy in Ayr left-back Kevin McKinlay.

The loss sees the visitors leapfrog Ton into third place and leaves the Greenock men six points off league leaders Forfar Athletic.

Dick Campbell’s side recorded a creditable 0-0 draw against second-placed Dunfermline at East End Park today.

The Cappielow club travel to Fife to face the Pars next weekend and will need a significant improvement if they are to manage an impressive result of their own.

Morton (4-1-2-1-2): Gaston; Kilday, O’Ware, Milojevic, Lamie; McKee; Pepper, Hands (Scullion, 63); Crawford (Lamie, 76); Barrowman ©, McManus.

Subs not used: McNeil, Allan, Knight, Caraux (gk).

Ayr United (4-4-2): Hutton; Devlin, Campbell, Murphy, McKinlay; Slane (Forrest, 58), McGovern, McLaughlin ©, Donald; Beattie (Shirkie, 80), Donnelly (Crawford, 74).

Subs not used: McKenzie, Muir, Newman (gk).

Booked: McKinlay (53).

Attendance: 1,744 Referee: Calum Murray