IT’S been a long old week for Morton after they made nationwide headlines for all the wrong reasons courtesy of their shocking Scottish Cup exit last Saturday.

Ton won’t forget their first visit to Edinburgh’s Ainslie Park in a hurry after Lowland League outfit Spartans bundled them out of the competition in ignominious fashion.

While the embarrassment of being on the wrong end of such a big upset is bad enough in itself, the defeat is potentially quite financially damaging too.

A quick glance at the draw for the last 16 shows just how open the competition is this year; if Morton had done the business they could maybe have been looking at a moneyspinning place in the latter stages.

When it comes to looking at Morton’s worst results, there’s no mistaking that this one is right up there.

In over 120 years as a football league member, the club had never before been eliminated from the Scottish Cup by non-league opposition.

Jim Duffy’s men had gone into the game in a rich vein of form following a six-match unbeaten run which had carried them to the top of League One.

Rated overwhelming favourites to win the tie, they had the added advantage of already defeating their opponents this season in another knock-out competition — so they could hardly be classed as an unknown quantity.

It seemed like everything was proceeding to plan as they took a comfortable 1-0 lead into the interval thanks to Andy Barrowman’s close-range finish but an hour later they were out on their ear.

So what went wrong?

Well, in simple terms they made a mess of the second half.

A goal to the good and in control of the match, they were all too easily usurped by a determined and spirited second half showing from their hosts — one which seemed to catch them completely by surprise.

As the resurgent home side visibly grew in confidence the Greenock men seemed to shrink in front of everyone’s eyes.

It took until the 71st minute for Dougie Samuel’s men to draw level but in truth Willie Bremner’s goal had been coming.

Morton’s perilous predicament only worsened when Stefan McCluskey, right, was then red carded after picking up a second booking for leading into a challenge with his boot too high.

Already rocked back on their heels, they were now bang in trouble and had to survive a few nervous moments while still attempting to chase forward at the other end. There was a growing sense of dread among their followers and the knock-out blow duly arrived in the last minute, Jack Beesley slipping the ball home after a rapid break left the hopelessly exposed away rearguard all at sea.

As the home fans erupted with delirious joy, Morton’s players must have known what reaction awaited them.

And while some travelling supporters seemed too dismayed, dejected or downright embarrassed to be angry, many others loudly vented their displeasure amid some unsavoury scenes.

The manager came in for plenty of flak too, with many fans particularly unhappy he did not make changes much sooner, when the tide was evidently turning against his men during the second half.

A bigger question might consider why he decided against doing so until the last 10 minutes, and what this says about the options at his disposal and depth of the squad.

During the second half, it was abundantly clear Morton needed a leader on the field who could get a grip of the game, take the sting out of Spartans and snuff out their revival.

It is instructive that while the players were all able to identify after the match that they knew it was getting away from them, no one was able to do anything about it at the time.

It’s not the first time the side has shown a soft centre away from home this season, and it suggests that the group could really do with a bit more experience in the ranks.

Moving forward, and with a vitally-important promotion battle to be fought, this is something that may have to be addressed sooner rather than later.

The immediate task, however, is to get over last week’s events and steady the ship.

While they have to redeem themselves, the team must not forget that they are currently top of their league and deserve to be there after going on a strong unbeaten run.

The best way to get last Saturday out of their system is to get straight back to winning ways, but in all honesty they could have easier tasks than a tricky visit to Stair Park.

Stevie Aitken’s Stranraer may have crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Cappielow in August but they have acquitted themselves very well indeed over the piece and currently sit just three points adrift of the table-toppers.

Fresh from a dramatic late comeback in the cup against Dunfermline, the chance to hoist themselves level with Morton will be all the incentive The Blues need.

Another testing away trip clearly awaits but the Ton players — bolstered by the return of key man Declan McManus — should view it as an opportunity to show some mettle and put an unhappy seven days to bed.

TEAM LATEST AS revealed in today’s Tele, trialist goalkeeper Grant Adam looks set to deputise between the sticks with Derek Gaston (thigh) and Nicolas Caraux (groin) still struggling with their respective injuries.

Conor Pepper was a late withdrawal from the squad against Spartans after going over his ankle last Thursday. He returned to light training yesterday, as did Jon Scullion who was also struggling with an ankle problem, but Saturday is likely to come just too early for the pair. There are also doubts over Thomas O’Ware (hamstring) and Mark Russell (knee), while Reece Hands (hip) remains sidelined.

But the return of top scorer Declan McManus should provide an important boost as the Ton face an in-form Stranraer at Stair Park.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters are taking bookings for tomorrow’s trip to Stair Park for the Scottish League One game against Stranraer. The bus will leave the hotel at noon.

All are welcome with pick-ups available en-route (coast route).

To book a seat call or text Jim on 07983 600945.

THE Morton Supporters’ Club bus to the Stranraer game leaves the club at 11am.

To book a seat phone the club on 01475 888273, email gmsctravelsection@hotmail.com or leave a message on their Twitter page at https://twitter.com/GMSCTravel