MORTON boss Dougie Imrie says it's all well and good playing nice football - but it'll count for nothing if they continue to fail to put the ball in the back of the net.

A baffled Imrie was left stunned after watching his side box Queen's Park into submission in a stellar first half performance at Cappielow on Tuesday.

But they couldn't dish out that knockout blow - and were then stung by Zak Rudden's first half volley.

Imrie cut a frustrated figure after full time on TuesdayImrie cut a frustrated figure after full time on Tuesday (Image: alex craig)

And that was all that separated the sides, leaving Imrie to lick his wounds once more - and to bemoan a lack of composure from his front line as Ton tumbled to their second defeat in the space of four days.

He told the Tele: "Football's all about winning. Unfortunately we didn't do that against Queen's Park.

"We lost to a goal that's so poor to concede, from a cross that should never have got into the box.

"We don't get close to the ball or to the man, and I keep on telling players the same thing  - 'stop the ball coming into the box'.

"That was their only chance in the game, whereas we had, and it's not an exaggeration, five or six clear chances.

"It was the same on Saturday, where we had four or five before Hamilton even got a sniff, then we concede three in seven minutes.

"It was one of those nights where nothing would go in for us, and one chance sees Queen's Park come away with three points.

"It's all right playing nice football and getting into the right areas, but football's about winning matches.

"It doesn't matter what happens. You could have nine million chances but if you don't score then you won't win matches.

"That's our Achilles heel at the minute. It'd be worse if we weren't making opportunities.

"I'm asking the balls to pass, be brave and take the ball in the right areas - which I think that they're doing.

"But ultimately it comes down to putting the ball in the net. To be fair, the fans stuck with the boys for the full 90 minutes, which is pleasing. They can see the boys are giving their all."

And with Ton's injury list lengthening alongside their struggles in front of goal, and a trip to leaders Falkirk coming up on Saturday, Imrie couldn't help but vent his frustration at a moment of madness from influential playmaker Iain Wilson, whose late red card means he'll miss the match against the Bairns.

Wilson was sent for an early bath against Queen's ParkWilson was sent for an early bath against Queen's Park (Image: alex craig)

"We're decimated with injuries just now," he added. "The players know that, and one of them goes and stupidly gets himself sent off and he'll miss Saturday.

"It's just getting worse. We picked up an injury with Alexander King in training on Monday, he's jumped up for a header and twisted his ankle. It's killing us just now.

"Shug [Wilson] is an experienced player - I'm needing more composure from him. He's an experienced player and knows he shouldn't retaliate, especially on a booking.

"Everything that's happening just now, our situation within the club, the timing in the game and being on a booking. He's not a kid.

"From that point of view I'm really disappointed because up until now he's had a really good season.

"Hopefully we can begin to see some players back in the near future, because it's all happening at once just now."