JIM Duffy was proud of his side’s commitment after they secured a well-earned point against Dundee United at Cappielow ahead of tonight’s play-off quarter-final  first-leg.

Kudus Oyenuga had given Ton the lead after United had dominated for the majority of the action, before Blair Spittal gave the visitors a share of the spoils.

Duffy insists he was delighted with how his Morton squad handled the game because the Terrors threw everything but the kitchen sink at their hosts. 

The 58-year-old reckons Ton will be up for the same fight again tonight in the Premiership play-offs.

Duffy said: “It was a tough match because United threw everything at us and we had to stand our ground. 

“I thought we did that really well and both goalkeepers that came on played their part. 

“Over the piece we had to stay as a team and work together.

“We had a few injuries, we had to change a few. 

“We don’t have the same strength in depth as United do with the options they’ve got to bring on but the one thing no one can question is our commitment and desire, we showed that in abundance.
“There’s a familiarity because we’ve played each other so many times this season, five games or whatever it is, and they’ve been very close games. 
“But there’s a bit of tension in the play-offs, there’s an expectation that everyone wants to try and get through it.
“We’ll go again on Tuesday and see if we can get a similar type of performance - maybe have a wee bit more share of the game.
“This was the last official game of the season and I think the boys take a lot of credit for it. United are a good side with some really good players but Cammy Bell has made a fantastic save pretty much in the last minute or we might have nicked it.
“We’ve finished with 52 points and last year we finished with something like 43 so we’ve had a significant improvement and I’m delighted with that.”
Seventeen-year-old Lewis Strapp had a fine game at left-back and Duffy singled out the youngster for special praise.
He said: “We’ve managed to introduce some younger players and I thought young Lewis Strapp was absolutely outstanding at the back. 

“He’s one we have high hopes for and also Jamie McGowan.

“There were a lot of good aspects but my main thing is the recovery period because it’s a short time.”

The Morton gaffer lost out to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year last night. 
But Duffy was delighted to be shortlisted with such prestigious company like Rodgers, Partick Thistle’s Alan Archibald and former Ton ace and current Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes.

He added: “It’s a wee bit embarrassing at times, but you’re voted by your peers which I think is important to managers and players because they realise the difficulties in the job.

“I think every manager understands every other and how difficult and precarious a job it is.

“So it’s very nice to get and it’s definitely better when someone says nice things about you than the other way around. 

“But of course, I’m honoured to be part of a very select group of nominees and there’s other guys as well that are more than deserving of it.

“It tells you there’s a few good managers in Scotland and for one reason or another someone thinks I’m one of them, so that’s good for a change.”