PROUD Morton manager Jim Duffy insisted that his players deserved more from last night’s League Cup tie against Partick Thistle.

A Kris Doolan goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to send Premiership Partick through to the third round at the Cappielow club’s expense.

But Duffy felt his side had put enough into the match to secure a draw and take the tie a further 30 minutes.

He said: “I think we competed remarkably well throughout the 90 minutes, and I felt the least we deserved was the game going to extra-time.

“I mean, Nico [Caraux] made a phenomenal save in the second half after our own mistake, but other than that we protected our goal very well and we were always a threat.

“I’ll be kind and say it was a very contentious decision by the referee to book Stefan [McCluskey]. I think if you look at their bench, their goalkeeper, and their players, they thought it was a penalty.

“I think it was a penalty and a poor decision, but at the end of the day, and as I said to our players, sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t.

“It just wasn’t our night. Stefan had a great chance when he nicked it off [Conrad] Balatoni and should score. “He had another great chance in the first half and should’ve scored.

“So on the balance of play - against an absolutely excellent footballing side - it was harsh on us not to take the game to extra-time. I felt disappointed with the result but not the performance.

“I’m not saying we deserved to win it, but I don’t think we deserved to lose. From my point of view, it was a terrific team performance. We’ll take a lot of credit from the game.

“But we’re not going to kid ourselves that this could be a springboard to something spectacular. That’s not the case.

“What it does tell you is that when we have everybody playing well, concentrating and doing their jobs then we’re a decent side with potential.

“At the end of the day, Partick Thistle are in the next round. They are the Premiership side and were expected to win — and they did.

“I’m sure Alan [Archibald] will know that it’s not always about the performance, it’s about being in the hat. And they’re in the hat, so good luck to them.”