Gaston blames troubles at back

DEREK GASTON struggled to make a case for the Morton defence as they were taken apart by Motherwell.

The Cappielow club lost 4-0 in their Betfred Cup tie at Fir Park on Saturday, including conceding after just four minutes.

Their cause wasn’t helped with all three first-choice defenders – captain Thomas O’Ware, Lee Kilday and Ricki Lamie – being out injured for the game.

And those in their place struggled to cope with Motherwell’s physicality and eye for goal during a long 90 minutes.

“It was always going to be tough for us as we were missing our three first-choice centrebacks,” said the Morton goalkeeper.

“We signed Connor McManus and he is a centre midfielder and he played as a makeshift centre-half.

“We didn’t start the game well and we were in trouble when we went 2-0 behind against a Premiership team and down to 10 men.”

Gaston thought team-mate Gary Harkins was harshly dealt with by referee Kevin Clancy when he was given a straight red on 39 minutes for a high foot.

He added: “The Motherwell player has nicked the ball away from Gary Harkins and it looks a lot worse than it is, but there was no malice in it.

“We play Edinburgh City in the last game of the group and if we win that one we would be on eight points and that may be enough for us to qualify for the knockout phase.”