DEJECTED Morton boss Dougie Imrie didn't mince his words after his side were put to the sword by a ruthless Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium.

An enraged Ton gaffer says his players looked lost at times against Rhys McCabe's men as they saw the Diamonds put three goals past them without reply. Michael Garrity's response late on was a mere consolation and the Ton boss admits he's been left with plenty to think about ahead of a quick turnaround ahead of Tuesday night's clash against Ayr United.

Imrie could be heard berating his players in the aftermath of the full time whistle and he says his side gave themselves an uphill battle to contend with from the off.

He told the Tele: "What was said after full time stays in the building, obviously. It's a disappointing day though.

"Full credit to Airdrie they took their chances when they came along very well, but you can't gift a team a two goal head start. It's impossible.

"On the flip side, we did have some great opportunities we had some great opportunities which we couldn't take, so on another day it could've been another scoreline.

"But to be fair to Airdrie and credit to Rhys and his team, they looked very good at times. Some of my boys looked lost at times today which really disappoints me to say. But it gives me a lot of food for thought going into Tuesday now.

"I'll never criticise my players though, they were written off for large spells in the early part of the season. I know I'm repeating myself but it's facts. We had a fantastic win against Queen's Park and then we come to Airdrie expecting to go again, but we couldn't match those levels. Although, we gave them a lifeline two minutes into the game.

"We've got to deal with that better, it's so important in this league to start games well. But we concede after two minutes and then another after fifteen, so it's backs against the wall from there."

It was a damning assessment from the Ton supremo - who believes his side presented Airdrie their three goals on a plate.

He does think though, it could've been different with his side having a watershed moment shortly before the half time interval.

He added: "I've been there when you lose an early goal. It takes character to try and get back into the game. We had a great chance to get back into it at 2-0 down.

"Cameron Blues is through one on one with the goalkeeper 38-minutes in and if he takes that then I think we're in for a totally different game.

"It then goes to three-nil and there's no coming back from that. The goals could've been avoided though. We'll analyse them but they've been given to Airdrie, they've not had to work hard for them."