JIM McAlister says Morton want to make sure teams hate coming to Cappielow this season after their opening day win over Alloa.

The veteran midfielder believes that if the Ton remain solid at home over the course of the shortened campaign they can aim higher up the table.

He admitted that they rode their luck at times against the Wasps - but he was delighted to secure another home win and a crucial three points.

He told the Tele: “Alloa are probably one of the best footballing sides in the league. They proved that last year, so it’s a great three points for us to get.

“The manager has made a big thing of us being really hard to play against and making it horrible for teams to come to Cappielow.

“We did quite well at home last year, so he’s put that challenge to us again.

“The league is going to be hard, apart from Dundee and Hearts the teams are quite even and similar in standard.

“So there could be a chance for us there, if we can take care of our home form, who knows where it could take you?

“It was backs-against-the-wall for the last 15 minutes and we maybe got away with a few chances, but you need to create your own luck as well in these kind of games."

McAlister was frustrated by referee Alan Newlands' decision to send off Josh McPake and believes it was harsh on the Rangers loanee.

The Ton captain added: “Obviously when they go down to 10 men, we really need to be taking advantage of that, although the decision to send off Josh was really soft.

“It might not have been a penalty but there was contact, so he hasn’t dived.

"Ultimately he’s decided to send him off which was really unfortunate because he was having a great game up until that point."