BOB McHugh was gutted not to score the first hat-trick of his career in Morton’s rout against Partick Thistle.

The frontman netted a double on Saturday in Morton’s 5-1 win over Partick, which put the home team into the play-off spots.

The 27-year-old has never scored a hat-trick, having scored numerous doubles since making his debut for Motherwell in 2008.

The striker went agonisingly close to taking home the match ball at the weekend, after an injury-time strike bounced back off the bar, much to the forward’s disappointment.

He added: “I’ve never scored a hat-trick. I’ve scored a lot of doubles and had a few off the post when I’ve been on a double, so I’m still waiting for that first hat-trick.”

But the striker was pleased with his side’s character after suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Ross County in Dingwall only seven days prior.

McHugh admits having forward partner Gary Oliver supporting him on the frontline has been a big help to his recent scoring form.

He added: “The team’s got a bit of confidence now. We are doing well after a poor start to the week.

“We’ve bounced back and we’ve turned it around with back-to-back wins and there’s a few goals for me into the bargain which is always nice.

“It was something Housty [Peter Houston, Morton’s assistant manager] and the gaffer mentioned before the game, as the couple of times we have gone behind this season we’ve went down too easily.

“It was important that we went into half-time ahead, we managed to get a goal pretty quickly after the break and from then on there was only one winner.

“You want as much help as you can get up top to get runs off each other to get you that yard of space and thankfully me and Gary are able to do that for each other.”

Ton manager Jonatan Johansson revealed his son Junior made up a chant for the forward based around children’s TV show Bob the Builder’s theme tune after his goal against Falkirk last month.

The striker says his latest chant is music to his ears and is grateful to his latest fan.

He added: “I just found that out. I’ve heard the gaffer’s son was singing Bob the Builder tune every time I score so hopefully he’s singing it plenty more times this season. 

“I’m sure it will get annoying for the gaffer if I score a bit more!”