WINNING goal hero Jai Quitongo believes Morton boss Jim Duffy was right to bench him for the clash with Dunfermline — making it even sweeter for him to net the winner in the dying seconds.

Quitongo dropped to the sidelines from the start against the table-topping Pars, replaced by Gary Oliver who put in a man of the match performance. 

But it was Quitongo who made the headlines when he burst onto the field to secure all three points after Ton’s remarkable comeback from a 2-0 first-half deficit.

The 19-year-old admits manager Duffy got his tactics — and substitutions — spot on as Ton staged their impressive turnaround thanks to all three subs.

He said: “We lost two goals but I honestly don’t think we played as badly in the first half as the scoreline suggested.

“We made a few bad mistakes but the manager spoke to the boys at half-time and he wanted us to show a bit of belief. 

“We know we’ve got it in us to go and get a result.

“We started the second half and Dunfermline were a bit sloppy, we’ve scored the first goal and the gaffer has then made the substitutions. And he’s got them right. Jeebsy [Gary Harkins] has scored and then I’ve scored the winner so it can’t be any better than that.

“The gaffer has been very good to me, I understand why I didn’t start because he wanted to change the team up. 

“But he’s got his subs right and I wanted to get on and show my best. Dunfermline were top of the league, so it’s a good feeling to score the winner.”

Quitongo insists he knew the minute he stepped foot onto the pitch that he would have an opportunity to help his team because he noticed the Dunfermline players tiring. 

And he’s delighted he was able to take full advantage when his chance did come from a Connor McManus clearance.

He said: “I usually find it difficult to come off the bench to influence a game but the gaffer has spoken to me about not switching off during a game. 

“It was the last five minutes and I thought ‘I could nick this here because they’re tired’. 

“They were tired — I could see that. I thought if I got a chance in behind them I’d take it, and thankfully I did.

“The gaffer said I need to add a bit of aggression to my game sometimes. 

“Not overly aggressive in terms of tackles or anything like that but just that sometimes he thinks I need a wee knock to wake up and think ‘right, I’ve got to play now’.”

Quitongo injured his knee against the Pars at East End Park almost nine months ago and the striker thanked those who helped him in his recovery. 

He said: “I’ve got to say a big thank-you to Gordon McKay, who was my surgeon, and Michael McLaughlin of Airdrie FC for getting me through my rehab. 

“I couldn’t have done it without them.”