MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has praised his team for the fighting character that saw them battle back from two goals down to end 2022 with a point against Raith Rovers.

The Ton manager admits that he was surprised to see his side fall 2-0 behind before their Stark's Park comeback and he was disappointing with the goals that they lost.

However, Imrie was delighted his side didn't crumble and fought back into the match as they came up with a positive point on the road.

He told the Tele: "To be 2-0 down I was a bit surprised, but after the first minute, we have got an unbelievable opportunity and we don’t take it.

"The boys kind of felt sorry for themselves, then we find ourselves 2-0 down.

"I don’t think we have lost goals like that this season.

"But the character that they showed to get back in the game and get back to 2-2 just before half-time, it shows the mentality that we are now starting to install in the club.

"We had another couple of chances in the first half. Efe [Ambrose] had a great chance to score as well, we could have gone in 3-2 up.

"In the second half again we were dominant for large parts of it, and then we started to get a little bit nervous in the last five or 10 minutes.

"Raith came into it, a couple of good opportunities that they could have capitalised on.

"We had a great opportunity where Robbie [Muirhead] hit the post.

"We had another stonewall penalty not given on Jai Quitongo, but to come away from home and pick up another point, it is a good point to take."

The 39-year-old believes the result is a step in the right direction, especially with how the first 20 minutes played out in Kirkcaldy.

Imrie said: "I am really pleased with the character that they showed to get back into the game.

"I think it is a point gained after the first 20 minutes, over the piece, could we have won it.

"But to go away from home and go 2-0 down after 20 minutes and come back to 2-2 and get a valuable point, it is pleasing."

The Ton gaffer gave an update on midfielder Lewis McGrattan who had to be substituted due to a head clash in the 69th minute.

He added: "Lewis is okay. It's just a cut above his head.

"To be fair to Lewis in the last few weeks he has been in the wars.

"At Arbroath he got a broken nose, and then against Raith he split his head open again.

"He is playing away well, but all the boys are pulling their weight."