MORTON boss David Irons believed there were plenty of positives to take out of this pre-season defeat by Oxford United at Cappielow on Saturday.

After going in at the interval on level terms, he saw his side lose three second half goals without reply.

But he said: "I thought we played really well in the first half. The first 45 minutes today, and the first 45 on Monday [against Crawley Town] you could argue was as good as we have played.

"We kept the ball, moved it and I thought it was a very good first half. We lost a goal early in the second half and probably lost a bit of belief at that point.

"As the boys were saying themselves, they stopped showing [for the ball] and that caused us a wee bit of a problem. But, as I say, I'm not overly concerned.

"At the first goal we've given the ball away cheaply and the boy's had a great finish. The second goal was hand-ball as far as the boys are concerned and the third goal was in the last minute.

"You don't lose points in a friendly. We've got to take the positives out of it.

"As I say, in the first half I was delighted with the way we played. I'd like to think that people who watched today will appreciate that we were trying to play a certain way.

"We've kept the ball and passed it and I think we've been the better team for 45 minutes.

The manager has departed from the back three formation the team played at the end of last season, adopting a back four with Ryan McGuffie and Carlo Monti as the full-backs.

Asked if that is how the team will play when the comptitive action begins, he replied: "Aye, I want them to play the way they played in the first 45 minutes.

"I know we can be a more direct team. That was something that was labelled at us all last year, whether it was a criticism or an observation from the outside that we were a very big, strong, direct team.

"I know we have that to offer, but I want to have another way of playing football. Neil MacFarlane has come in and I thought he had an excellent 45 minutes. He's brought more to the team in terms of security and keeping the ball, allowing Stevie Masterton to get forward. And Ryan McGuffie is showing that he's a great outlet on the right side.

"Carlo Monti and Jim McAlister are striking up a good relationship. It's probably in the final third that we need to try and get things a bit better." Former Partick man Simon Donnelly was given a run and Irons said: "I wanted to have a look at Simon. I think he's a very good footballer, he's an intelligent footballer and he's obviosuly got experience, but it is just to have a look initially and we'll see what happens after that." Asked if there would be further additions to the squad, Irons said: "We've got to be conscious of the situation as far as economics are concerned." Irons was of the view that it was unlikely that there would be further new additions without players moving out.

On the subject of Dominic Shimmin's thigh and hamstring problems, Irons commented: "It's becoming a concern. Add Alex Walker and Iain Russell as well, and David MacGregor is just coming back in. So it's a bit tight at the moment." Morton began brightly enough, a fine MacFarlane pass setting Monti free on the left but he overhit his cross. Stewart Greacen brought off a saving challenge at the other end, Cuthbert providing a decent save as well as Oxford posed their own threat.

In 26 minutes, however, a fine Jim McAlister pass released Brian Graham, he laid a good ball back to Allan Jenkins and his drive from 20 yards was tipped over the crossbar by Clarke. It was to be Morton's best opportunity.

The interval arrived, however, with honours even, but it was a different story in the second period. Within 26 seconds of the re-start Oxford had the ball in the net, Midson's perfect chip from the edge of the box finding the top left corner of the net with Stewart rooted to his line.

A Green header hit a post as the visitors pushed on. There was the usual spate of substitutions before Deering, one of those who had just come on, had two bites of the cherry close in, his first attempt being cleard off the line and the second hit home.

There was no continuity to the play, David MacGregor coming on in the final eight minutes for his first appearance after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

It was left to Constable to provide the final blow to the hosts when he netted a simple goal after getting a square pass from Deering on the right.

There were suspicions of offside, but it didn't really matter.

Now it is on to tonight's match against Romanian champions Inirea Urziceni.

They have the reputation of being a side who keep possession well and Morton will clearly have their work cut out.

The game kicks-off at 7.30pm. Under-16s will be permitted free entry while the admission fee for all others is a flat rate five pounds.