Burchill blasts ‘stupid’ Gordon

LIVINGSTON were left to rue the ‘stupidity’ of Ben Gordon as a dismal defeat against Morton consigned them to the foot of the Championship.

The experienced defender was dismissed by referee Euan Anderson on 29 minutes after halting dangerous winger Conor Pepper with a rather industrial challenge on the touchline.

It completely altered an encounter which had been, up to that point, too close to call and subsequent strikes from Stefan McCluskey, Denny Johnstone, Bobby Barr and Jon Scullion secured the win for Jim Duffy’s men.

Late consolations from Jordan White and Jordyn Sheerin were more indicative of the visitors’ sloppiness than any realistic chance of a comeback and Gordon was moved to apologise for his indiscretion at full-time.

‘Ben is a very experienced player and, if he is going to bring the boy down, he should have done it in a cute way,’ rued Livvy boss Mark Burchill. ‘It was a stupid thing for him to do. When things like that happen, and people make the wrong decision, it has a big effect, especially when you have young boys on the pitch. Ben is probably the most experienced player we have in this team.

‘He has apologised to the players, but we’ve lost the three points and we’re bottom of the division.’

Burchill may wish to save some of his ire for those still on the pitch. The first goal conceded by his side, in particular, was simply dreadful.

Delighted Morton manager Jim Duffy added: ‘That’s three back-to-back away wins and, at any level, that is terrific.’