DAVID Hopkin has urged his mis-firing Morton side to find their mean streak again as they look to secure a tie against Premiership side St Johnstone in next week’s replay at

Brora.

Ton will play Saints at McDiarmid Park in the fourth round if they win at Dudgeon Park.

However, the Ton gaffer believes they should have safely sealed their place in the next round on Saturday after Bob McHugh missed a gilt-edged opportunity late on.

This saw Brora hang on for a historic result and a replay back up in Sutherland a week tomorrow.

Hopkin told the Tele: “We knew it was going to be a tough game, they’ve got a good side with a good record behind them.

“In the first half an hour they passed the ball about and didn’t cause us a lot of trouble.

“Then we gave the ball away in the middle of the park and gave the referee a decision to make for the penalty, so it was an uphill battle from there.

“It was always going to be a tough task, but we got ourselves back into the game.

“In the second half with the chances we had we should have scored at least one more time to go on and win the game.

“Especially at the end, we had four or five clear cut chances to go and win the game.

“If you gave that chance to Bob McHugh on a loop he scores it nine times out of ten.

“It’s just been one of those days.”

Hopkin praised Brora and insisted they never underestimated their Highland League opponents.

He added: “We’ve got to give credit to Brora. They’re organised, they’re experienced, and it was a difficult match for us.

“The only positive we can take is that we’re in the hat for the fourth round but we need to negotiate what’s going to be a difficult trip up to Brora.

“Nobody has underestimated them in the slightest.

“Sometimes as a coach it’s hard to get footage of Highland League teams and I don’t think people realise just how good a lot of these teams are.

“A lot of people do them a disservice because they’re a Highland League outfit but they’re all technically very good.

“A lot of their squad is made up of ex-senior players.

“It was always going to be a tough ask but with the chances that we had at the end we really should be through to the next round.

“I’m disappointed with that.”

If Morton progress to the next round they will face St Johnstone, who won the tournament in 2014, on the weekend of January 18.