Dougie Imrie and David Martindale joint post-match debrief

Imrie, who previously held a role within the Lions first team coaching set up, and Martindale chewed the fat in front of an unusually small press pack.

Martindale, far left, and Imrie shared post match duties as usual (Image: Gary Bradley)

Just the Tele and one other outlet were present as the duo analysed their sides' performances in the quarter-final clash

And both were in agreement as to what separated the sides on a night that gave Imrie more food for thought heading into what is looking like a crucial run of fixtures for the Cappielow side.

Both Imrie and Martindale agreed that the first half was a fairly even exchange.

Imrie continued: "I thought we passed the ball around quite well at times, we worked the ball from side to side. But we caused our own problems again tonight.

"For the first goal, we make the wrong pass. We try to be clever and pass the ball in between the centre half and the full back, when it should just go wide to the winger.

"From there Livingston put the ball up the pitch and we don't deal with it properly. We allow Andy Winter to take the ball in and then we then allow the ball to come into the pitch.

"We don't get close to Reece McAlear and I think Ryan's got to save the ball down at his left hand post. That was all that was really in the game at that point.

Imrie and Martindale chewed the fat in the tiny press huddle (Image: Gary Bradley)

"Filip Stuparevic has a chance not long after we go behind, I think that the keeper makes a great save and then gets back up for the second one"

Martindale added, "It was a great double save."

Imrie continued: "That could've got us in at half time on level terms. But I thought Livingston at times passed the ball around really well, and they're a real handful at the top end of the pitch.

"You see the players that they're bringing off the bench. That's the difference. Davie's got Stevie May, Teti Yengi, Andrew Shinnie and Lewis Smith - real quality players.

"You see the difference in the squads. Livingston's is all Premier League quality in my opinion.

"In the second half we again started well and had a couple of chances. But we had to make a couple of subs with a couple of tactical tweaks.

"We then shoot ourselves in the foot by conceding late in the game before getting the goal we should've got in the first 60 minutes."

Lions boss Martindale was in full agreement with Imrie, and in a candid response, supporting his counterpart added: "I think you could see the differences in the squads. I'm looking at your bench, Dougie, and then I'm looking at my bench.

"I started the bench knowing I could make changes, whereas you maybe couldn't really, it really weakened things for you.

"I felt as if my changes were able to keep us really competitive. I knew that if we got to that stage in the game - I've got those four or five that I can bring on.

"Dougie's not really got that luxury. I've sat there myself, I've been in similar shoes, so I feel for him.

"I thought in the top end of the park is where the difference was. There wasn't a lot between the sides in the first half, which is what we're finding with our games in the Championship.

"The two teams cancel each other out really, and in the second half we grew into the game a lot more. I think if Yengi takes one of the chances it makes things a lot easier.

Martindale was impressed by Austin Samuels' strike (Image: Gary Bradley) "I actually thought Morton scored a half decent goal at the end."

Imrie admitted: "It was a great finish."

Martindale continued: "We found ourselves a bit out of shape in the press, but it was a decent goal from Morton's point of view."

"I think that the goal probably came about five or ten minutes too late for Morton as well."

Imrie responded: "Yeah, I agree. But I also think in terms of the game, the top end of the pitch was the difference.

"I thought we played some really good stuff, got into the final third and that's where it breaks down. That's where we have to get better."

Martindale added: "It's weird because you brought JET in to link the play up there, and I felt that you actually built the play up quite well.

"Then, when you turned it over in there, it never really stuck. Whereas if you had JET, he probably holds that and it lets you change how you play."

Imrie though believes that his side need a spark to try and get their confidence back and that's why he feels that the first goal is so important.

"It gives you a platform to build from and settles everyone down," he said.

"We've managed to get that a couple of times this season, but we've been struggling with injuries. There's still boys trying to get up to speed, which isn't an excuse.

"You've got to endeavour. You've got to want to run. You can't have everyone wanting to come to the ball and I think that's a dying breed now. 

"Players nowadays want to look pretty and do the fancy flicks and tricks, all the fancy jargon that gets used."

"And fill the half spaces," Martindale chimed.

"The game's about winning," Imrie continued: "It's about wanting to run and having a desire. But in my opinion some of these academies have got a lot to answer for."

And in a final response, Martindale added, "I agree, I think players are over-coached nowadays."