KNACKERED Morton boss Dougie Imrie says he wanted the ground to swallow him up in the closing stages of a five goal thriller moments before Michael Garrity stunned the three and a half thousand within Stark's Park to claim all three points.

The Cappielow men hit back in style after surrendering a two goal lead in what was beginning to be an afternoon to forget - as the academy graduate bundled the ball home deep into second half stoppage time to stop the rot and register a league win for the first time since the start of October.

Dougie Imrie thought lightning had struck twice after surrendering a two goal lead yet againDougie Imrie thought lightning had struck twice after surrendering a two goal lead yet again (Image: Gary Bradley)

And Imrie praised the character of his side - who did well to stop the slide in a second half that had been one way traffic for much of the action.


READ MORE: Morton pass Raith Rovers acid test to claim big win


He insists many would've caved after surrendering a strong lead but he couldn't hide his delight in claiming such a massive win away from home for the first time this season.

He told the Tele: "At two-nil down I wanted the ground to swallow me up and take me away. But full testament to my players - the character they showed to get the win.

"I thought in the first half that we were outstanding. Raith couldn't get near us. Although they hit the post through a bit of slack defending from ourselves.

"It could've been more though, Filip had a great chance to get his hat-trick, possibly the easier of his chances, just before half time and if he takes that that could've been the game done.

"Credit to Raith though, they never gave in. Although we made it easy for them giving away a poor free kick in the corner, which we don't defend the ball into the box well enough.

"The ball comes in and ends up in the net, it gives the crowd a lift and they get their tails up whilst we get a bit jaded.

"I'm not so sure that it's a penalty - but we don't deal with the situation. Grant Gillespie slips which then has us defending a one v one scenario.

"We try to recover and then the decision is a bit soft in my opinion. When that happens you're sitting there thinking 'oh no here we go'. But listen full credit to the players for picking themselves back up after a tough period.

"For them to go and do what they did, for Jordan to go up and supply a great ball into the back post for Michael to finish off, was fantastic.

"They put us under a bit of pressure again but we defended really well."

Ton fought back in styleTon fought back in style (Image: Gary Bradley)

It was a landmark day for both sides as Ton registered their first league win on the road this season - whilst Rovers lost at home under new gaffer Neill Collins for the first time since his arrival.

And he challenged his side to build on the win, exactly a year on from beginning their 17-game unbeaten run.

He added: "The pleasing thing for me is, is that Raith have been in a really good run of form. They've only lost once at home all season and that's not been under Neill Collins. 

"It's testament to my group because they'll have turned up and think we'd have folded. But I know what I've got in there.

"It's only one game - but we now have to build and to build momentum. "