DOUGIE Imrie believes his Morton side can count themselves unlucky not to be in the hat for the semi-final draw of the SPFL Trust Trophy after they were knocked out by Raith Rovers on penalties.

After taking the lead through Alexander King's excellent free-kick, the Greenock side were pegged back by Lewis Vaughan’s header.

The home side were clinical from 12 yards with all four of their penalties as the Fifers progressed into the last four.

The Ton boss has expressed his disappoint at going out the competition, but he took plenty of positives from their the performance during the 90 minutes.

Asked if he thought his side had done enough to win, he said: "I would agree with that.

"I thought we were well in the game. I didn’t think Raith caused us any problems at all, we caused our own, especially with the goal.

"It was a great finish from Alex, we were really comfortable but we were turned too easily up the left-hand side of the pitch.

"It was a simple ball down the side and we didn't deal with an aimless ball into the box and the ball's in the back of the net.

"If that’s how we concede goals we will be in for hard days. On the game itself, we merited the win, but fair play to Raith, they kept going, and I wish them all the best in the next round."

The 39-year-old made seven changes to the side that started the last league game and has praised the fringe players for putting on a performance, with their game time being very limited so far this season.

He told the Tele: "Most of the boys that came in have been out for a while and not played many games. I thought they were brilliant. They have kept themselves fit and maintained a really high intensity in training to go and produce a performance like that.

"It gives me food for thought going forward now for the rest of the season.

"It was important that the guys got 90 minutes, seven or eight of them have not really kicked a ball this season, so they needed game time.

"It is difficult when you can’t get games, so it was important to give them a chance."

Imrie believes Ton should have been given the opportunity to win the game in normal time after they were denied two penalties decisions.

He said: "In the second half we should have had two penalties, especially the one with Lewis Strapp in the last minute.

"It is a stonewaller and last week we had a stonewaller not given either.

"It is pointless speaking to people because you just get told it wasn’t a penalty."

Imrie has credited youngster King for his contribution after he operated in an unfamiliar number 10 role and impressed throughout the contest, coming up with the opening goal with a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards.

The Ton boss added: "Alex did well in the game. I just think for him as a young kid he needs to be more involved in the game.

"He has good attributes, he is still young, he is still developing and learning the game, he will come on, he is disappointed that he missed his penalty.

"But I told him to get his head up, anybody can miss a penalty. It is about growing from that, and when you get another opportunity you put it away.

"It was a fantastic finish. He's a good young kid with real ability, and he has got a real chance to make a name in the game if he keeps performing, listening and developing."