MORTON boss Dougie Imrie was left disappointed even though his side managed to secure back-to-back fifth place Championship finishes.

The Ton chief was proud of his players efforts in the Highlands despite falling to a 3-1 defeat to Duncan Ferguson's side as he was once again left to bemoan refereeing decisions going against his side.

He insists Morton were more than a match for the Caley Jags not only with 11 but with ten players on the park - but he was more proud of the efforts of Ton's unwavering supporters who travelled in numbers for the dead rubber end-of-season clash.

Imrie said: "To finish fifth again this season is incredible for the club. But that's by the by. We wanted better than that.

"If you wanted to look at it on the flip side, we finished three points off of ninth. This league's very very tight and we needed a great results at Arbroath to make it arithmetically secure heading into the final few games.

"I'm proud of the players though for their efforts, whom I at times in the game, were very very good. But the red card changed the full complexion of the game, as did the penalty which is never a penalty in my view.

"We did ever so well to get back into the game and at times we played very good football. But at times decisions went against us and that inevitably changed the outcome of the game.

"I'm proud though, because even when we went down to ten I thought we were more than a match for Inverness. I felt that we were very good when it was 11 against 11.

"I'm disappointed with the result, we wanted to come here and win. But I'm thankful for the travelling support who came all the way up in support of the boys at this time of year.

"It's testament to them to have done that and I'd just like to say a huge thank you from myself and the boys."

While Imrie disagreed with both calls from whistler Craig Napier to award Inverness a penalty and to deny his own side a spot kick, he was left disappointed with the reaction of top scorer Robbie Muirhead who received his marching orders as a result.

And with the No.9 out of contract in a number of weeks, the Ton chief says that it'd be a horrible way for him to sign off his Cappielow career, if he chooses to leave, after revealing he's made the talisman striker a contract offer for next season.

He added: "I do disagree with the penalty certainly, but I can't comprehend Robbie's reaction to being booked. It's disappointing because he's let down his team-mates, but I can understand where he's coming from because it could have been a penalty.

"It's a learning curve for him though, he'll have to understand the moment he's in and he knows himself, he doesn't need me having a go. But hopefully he can bite his tongue moving forward and get on with the game.

"If that's how he signs off from his time with me and the club, I'll be disappointed for him. But he's one I want to try and keep and we'll fight tooth and nail for that.

"There's interest in a number of players in the building and that's just the nature of football. When people are playing well people are bound to want them."