MORTON manager Jim Duffy admitted Saturday’s damaging defeat at home to Brechin City has made it ‘extremely difficult’ for his team to win the League One title.

Glebe Park midfielders Bobby Barr and Jamie Masson both netted in the closing stages to inflict Ton’s 11th loss of the campaign.

The result leaves the Ton four points off leaders Stranraer and three behind Forfar Athletic, who moved above them into second spot.

And Duffy says there is no margin for error in the final four games if his side are to defy the odds and finish on top of the pile.

He told the Tele: “That was very painful. At this stage of the season, every game has an extra degree of significance and importance. Today was no different.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult. It’s obviously in the hands of the opposition now and that’s the thing — we’ve got to understand that.

“There are still [four] games to go, but what it does mean is that there is no room for error now. There wasn’t much room anyway, but that has just emphasised it even more.

“We’ll not get any easier a task at home to Stenhousemuir, because they’re still fighting to stay out of the play-off place.” On the game, he said: “First half, [Graeme] Smith has a couple of brilliant saves, and one in particular from Declan [McManus].

“It was one of those ones we maybe needed the breakthrough to change the dynamics of the game, but we didn’t get it.

“The longer the game goes on you try to push and try to get the first goal, which is pivotal in a tight game.

“And obviously they got it. I have to be honest, from where we were it didn’t look a penalty. I’ll have to wait and see it the DVD.

“I had a word with the referee on the way off and I was asking who made contact, which player it was so I could then speak to the player.

“I wasn’t overly angry [with the decision], I was more disappointed with our team. Obviously the second goal is a free-kick and there’s not a lot you can do about the second goal.

“In 90 minutes I don’t think Gats [Derek Gaston] had a save to make, but the bottom line is that it’s not about how many saves you make, it’s about how many goals you score.

“Brechin scored the goals, were very well organised, played with a great energy and made it very difficult.

“So credit to Ray [McKinnon] and his team.

“But I just felt there wasn’t a real spark about us today. There was a lot of huffing and puffing and a lot of effort, but there was no spark.

“We were taking too many touches on the ball, were getting caught on the ball and when we were getting into good areas, we didn’t deliver enough.

“So I felt as if there was no real spark to us today and for whatever reason. I’m not quite sure why that is, because after last week’s result they should have been flying. But it wasn’t the case.”