3 things we learned as Morton rue ref shocker in Ayr defeat

However the tail of the tape at Somerset Park would read much differently after everyone associated with the Ton camp were left enraged by yet another shocker of a decision by a match official that would go against them and ultimately determine the outcome of a game.

Ton were incensed that Henderson's penalty stood (Image: Gary Bradley)

Despite the clear financial gulf between the two sides, there was very little to separate a high-flying Honest Men and Imrie's new-look Ton side, only for a dubious Jay Henderson penalty to keep all the points in South Ayrshire as the Cappielow men were left looking for more answers on an afternoon that did actually show their ability to compete with the division's high flyers.

Here's three things we learned from the defeat at Somerset Park.

Big decisions are being called wrong

Henderson scored the only goal of an otherwise tight game (Image: Gary Bradley)

Nobody is doubting that Colin Steven's call to award Ayr with a spot kick midway through the second half as Jack Baird mistimed a lunge on Blackburn youngster Ethan Walker.

But what happened next still dominates the conversations being had among supporters across the country.

Jay Henderson's spot kick looked to deceive Ryan Mullen in net, who'd spotted and begun the claim before he'd completed his dive, that the Ayr forward's penalty had in fact been kicked off of his standing foot, that had slipped in the turf moments prior.

Colin Steven was six yards away, with his vision unimpaired, so how he has failed to miss it along with the fourth official who was watching on from the other side of the player, is just baffling.

Bottom line, it's not good enough and the call could have huge ramifications in 30 games' time, but Dougie Imrie was quick to make the point that Ton have had three huge calls go against them now this season.

Two came against Falkirk, when Dylan Tait was wrongly awarded a penalty and Michael Garrity wrongfully denied one up the other end. Not just Morton, but the Scottish game deserves better despite all the turmoil going on at Hampden.

Missed chances

Lamar Reynolds should've seen the net burst (Image: Gary Bradley)

That has been one of the stories of Dougie Imrie's time at the club - even when Morton have been at their high flying best with the likes of George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead spear-heading their forward line.

But on Saturday that issue came to the fore once again in a game where they'd be at a premium for both sides.

Lamar Reynolds saw two chances go begging in the first half, initially failing to shoot inside three minutes before seeing a volley towards a seemingly open goal blocked by Nick McAllister, if either of the two go in it could've been a very different story in South Ayrshire.

In the second half Jordan Davies saw a chance spurned at the back post while Cameron Blues' snapshot saw rookie-keeper Liam Russell called into action. But if Ton are to start putting a run of form together, they need to start finding the back of the net on a regular basis.

Filip's chance to shine

Stuparevic's debut showed signs of encouragement (Image: Gary Bradley)

Dougie Imrie had been thrust back into the market late in the loan window after the dramatic departure of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

His replacement arrived on Friday morning in the shape of Motherwell striker Filip Stuparevic. A 24-year old marksman with a wonderful background.

In his half an hour cameo at Somerset Park, he didn't get that much of a sniff in front of goal, but he certainly looked like he could be the man to click things together at the top end of the pitch.

He showed some neat touches and some great awareness to try and be the focal point in the front line and as time goes on he will only continue to find his feet in Scotland's second tier. With some evidently quicker movement and decision making, he could be the man to fire in the goals for Ton.

The coming weeks will ultimately tell us if Dougie Imrie has managed to unearth another gem.