LIAM Grimshaw believes Morton's fringe players will have given manager Dougie Imrie a selection headache.

The Ton boss made seven changes for the SPFL Trust Trophy tie at Raith Rovers, with the likes of Lewis McGregor and Carlo Pignatiello making rare starts.

Five youth academy graduates were included in the line-up and Grimshaw says they can hold their heads up high despite being knocked out the SPFL Trust Trophy on penalties.

He told the Tele: "We were unlucky not to win.

"We made a lot of changes, but we played well against a Raith team that has been doing well in the league.

"We probably were unlucky really not to win it in 90 minutes, but we have to be switched on for the full game if we want to see things out.

"We slipped up a bit for the goal.

"Some of the lads that came into the team, they might not have played for a couple of weeks or even months in some cases, and they all acquitted themselves really well.

"They worked hard, ran their socks off for 90 minutes and we played some good football.

"There are quite inexperienced players who haven't really played much football in general. I think they can be proud.

"For the lads who haven’t played much, it is important first of all to get some minutes under their belt and some match fitness, and secondly to show the manager that they are capable and they can have an impact if he needs to bring them on the pitch or he is going to start them.

"Overall it was a good workout for us, it was disappointing to lose on penalties, but these things happen."

The 27-year-old feels on another day the Ton could have ran out comfortable winners but was disappointed they failed to stop Lewis Vaughn's equaliser after Alexander King had put the visitors in front.

He said: "The Raith goal was a bit of a breakaway. It looked like a good header to be fair to the lad.

"We pride ourself on our defence really, I think we have got one of the best defensive records in the league.

"We do want to try cut out they sort of mistakes.

"We were in the ascendancy and had better chances.

"On another day we could have come away with a 2-0 or 3-0 win. We should have had a few penalties as well - but the less said about that the better."

Having featured mainly as a right-back since making the move to Morton, Grimshaw operated in a midfield role next to Pignatiello.

The former Motherwell man says he is delighted to bring versatility to the side and he is happy to fill in wherever necessary to help the team.

He added: "I enjoyed it, I do like playing midfield.

"I have not had as much of a chance to play there as I probably would have liked over the years.

"I have played right-back more, it is always good to get a run out there.

"I am just happy to play to be honest and help out the team wherever I play.

"I played centre-back at Dundee so it's good having that versatility.

"As long as I am playing, I am happy."