RENPHEW DERBY
Jai sets an example Sutty rescues Buds
“In that opening spell I was questioning the character of my
Jim Duffy hailed the impact of Ton teenager Jai Quitongo as his side left Paisley wondering how they’d failed to win.
Quitongo, the son of ex-Hearts and Saints winger Jose, terrorised the St Mirren defence after stepping up from Morton’s Under-20 side.
And Duffy said: “He is an example to show that you don’t always have to go out and get players, you can still bring them through the ranks.
“Our keeper hasn’t had a save to make so we are a bit gutted not to win.”
players and wondering where the leaders were.
“We went to three at the back to give us more attacking options in the second half and it paid off.
“For an hour after that start we showed the type of character you would expect in a derby. We will pick the bones out of it but we are pleased to see big John get off the mark.
“We have four striking options now and have a squad there – it’s not always about those who start.”
Saints fans took delight in the 17-year statistic and taunted their rivals on the opening day, unfurling banners of ‘ 6328 days of domination’ and ‘Forever in our shadow’.
Yet it was Ton who were by far the better team early on as they battered the Buddies in a blistering opening.
Michael Tidser whistled a 25-yard drive off the top of the bar before his skipper Lee Kilday suffered a similar fate with a header.
Rae’s side were being hounded and lurched behind 17 minutes in with Ross Forbes the architect.
His treacherous free-kick swirled into the dangerzone with Thomas O’Ware by himself at the back post to steer his header home.
Saints eventually began to clear their heads after the break and slick play between Calum Gallagher and Lawrence Shankland teed up David Clarkson only for the veteran striker to fizz his shot over under pressure. Rae cut an exasperated figure as his side toiled to turn improved possession into any telling impact.
Left- back Gary Ir v ine was sacrificed with 19 minutes left and Sutton pitched in to save the day.
The home side had commanded more of the ball but in all honesty Morton looked to be coasting to victory until Lewis Morgan picked the ball up on the right of the box.
He danced his way clear of a tackle to stand up the most inviting of crosses at the back post where Sutton – who has made a career of feeding on that sort of service – rose to smash home the header.
Those banners will rack up some more days on them until the next instalment on October 22.