JIM Duffy says Morton were fully deserving of their narrow 1-0 victory over Queen of the South on Saturday — even though they weren’t at their best.

Thomas O’Ware headed the winner after 17 minutes from a Ross Forbes free-kick to notch three points for the hosts on a day where conditions were horrible and the weather was unpredictable.

Duffy was satisfied with the result because his side dug deep to come out on top.

He said: “It was a very difficult game and the blistering conditions weren’t ideal. I thought we played very well in the first half, we got the ball down and created some good chances.

“It was a great goal, fantastic delivery from Ross and it’s something that’s been vital for us this season, Ross’s delivery and Tom’s goalscoring prowess.

“That’s been great, the determination to get on the end of it and the execution. He had one in the second half as well that the keeper’s made a good save from.

“I think we just merited it but Queens came into it towards the latter stages of the game. Andy [McNeil] had one great save from the quickly taken free-kick but other than that I felt we defended really resolutely and we denied too many opportunities to them.

“Without it being a classic football match in difficult conditions I think we just edged it.”

Morton maintained their unbeaten run at home, which stretches all the way back to March over a period of 14 games. 

And Duffy believes the home supporters have played a special role in helping his team keep up their run.

He said: “We’re a team that gives everything anyway but when the home fans are the majority of the support there and they see that week-in, week-out, I think it’s important to try and get that home form strong — and we have been like that.

“Every game brings its own difficulties and [Saturday] was a very determined Queen of the South side we were up against, but thankfully we were able to capitalise on the one clear-cut chance we got.”

Queen of the South were a far-cry from the side that flopped in the reverse fixture back in October during Morton’s incredible 5-0 win over the Doonhamers in Dumfries.

But Duffy says he always knew they were going to be a different kettle of fish — because the first clash between the two outfits was a ‘unique game’ that is very rare in such a difficult league.

He concluded: “It was always going to be difficult and we knew that.

"They’ve got a new manager and have improved different aspects of their game. 

“The last game was a unique game in this division and you very, very rarely get those games.

“To win this one was vital and the clean sheet again was terrific. And without being brilliant, I think we more than merited the three points. We were solid, reliable, organised. 

“There wasn’t a lot of flair or imagination but there were other types of qualities that were required and I think we showed that.”