FRUSTRATED Morton boss David Hopkin believes another poor refereeing decision cost his side dearly.

The Ton left Somerset Park empty-handed despite a second-half comeback against Ayr United.

The visitors blasted back from 3-0 down to 3-2 courtesy of goals from Reghan Tumilty and Nicky Cadden before substitute Craig McGuffie netted a decisive fourth goal for Ayr in injury-time. 

However, Hopkin says Luke McCowan’s close-range shot to make it 2-0 to the Honest Men should have been chopped off for offside.

It came a week after Hopkin was sent off against Queen of the South for his protests following Cameron Salkeld’s 89th-minute goal being ruled out for offside.

Hopkin, who served a one-match touchline ban on Saturday, said: “We lost three poor goals. 

“But for the second goal the boy was miles offside — it shouldn’t count but that’s refereeing decisions for you. 

“I got sent off to the stand last week for one that was nowhere near that. It’s another poor decision.

“The young boy [Alan] Forrest scored a great third goal and got back to 3-2. Then we had two fantastic crosses from Nicky Cadden you have to score from.

“We were then hit on the counter-attack.

“Ayr probably deserved the win but I thought we showed great character to come back.”

Ton were also hampered when they lost defender Peter Grant through injury early in the first half.

Hopkin added: “I felt we played too deep and it’s the third game in a row I have lost a defender. 

“It’s difficult playing against a good side when they are at home.

“But if you come to Ayr United and score two goals the minimum we should be taking is a point.”

The boss is urging improvement on Saturday as Morton host Alloa Athletic.

He said: “It will be a tough game as they have had good results. 

“We need to start the games better than as have been as we’ve been conceding goals and giving ourselves a mountain to climb. But the character was there when we were chasing the game.”