MORTON manager Jonatan Johansson was pleased with his side’s performance against high-flying Ayr United.

The Ton came away with a hard-earned point against the ten-men of United, going close to getting a winner on several occasions.

It was the first time this season Ayr had failed to score at home, and they were unbeaten at Somerset Park before Saturday’s game in nine games in all competitions heading into the weekend clash.

That, coupled with the fact Morton had just come off the back of a poor 2-0 defat to Alloa Athletic, meant the Ton boss felt his side’s display against the league leaders was a solid showing.

He told the Tele: “It was a good performance from us, it was the league leaders away from home and I thought the performance was very good.

“The work rate and shape was good and I felt a clean sheet down here is difficult to get so I’m pleased with the 90 minutes.

“It was a massive improvement from last week, and if can keep seeing improvements, consistency is the big thing for me.

“The boys looked a good team on Saturday, the shape was good and we won the ball and looked dangerous on our attacks.

“We were much better than last week on the ball and we created enough chances both in the first and the second halves to score that goal to take all three points, but it wasn’t to be. 

“But I’m very happy with the performance.”

The game’s turning point came just after an hour mark, when Ayr United forward Craig Moore was sent off for kicking Gregor Buchanan in the groin.

Referee Willie Collum had no hesitation in sending off the striker with a straight red card and both managers felt it was the right decision.

Johansson said: “I didn’t really see the incident but if you hit someone it’s a sending off.”

Former Ton boss and Ayr United manager Ian McCall added: “He knows he was daft and then we were up against it.

“I don’t think we played that well but the sending off changed the game.

“The other boys worked their socks off to get him out of jail and they did do that.

“I put Michael on to get a winner then he actually saved one on the line which was a different class. It could be a good point at the end of the season.”

Morton had their opportunities in the game, going close on three occasions to snatch all three points.
McHugh fired off-target when through one-on-one, Oliver hit the post for the visitors and Buchanan had his effort cleared off the line in the final minutes.

Johansson said playing against 10 men made it much more difficult.

He added: “We had a couple of chances to win the game, we hit the post late on and had a chance cleared off the line.

“It is difficult to play against a team with 10 men at times as they sit in more and make it difficult for us but I felt we did okay and our performance was good.”