MORTON boss Dougie Imrie had nothing but praise for his players despite watching them fall to a 2-0 defeat to Championship leaders Falkirk - even if they did show them too much respect.

The Ton boss feels that the clash game was  just a game too far after his side put their bodies on their line three times in six days which he felt showed as Falkirk capitalised on a lethargic first half performance at Cappielow.

Falkirk were ruthless in the first half against Morton (Image: alex craig) And he admits that the blow of losing both Filip Stuparevic, who ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament against Hamilton Accies on Tuesday night, and Tomi Adeloye who hurt his hamstring in training on Thursday morning was felt by a side who looked sorry for themselves against a title chasing Bairns.

He told the Tele: "I think it's just a game too far. The boys are out on their feet. But before we go any further, obviously I've got to take my hat off to them.

"The run that they've been on has been unbelievable.

"To try and play three games in six days, especially on that pitch, the way it is just now, it's took too much out of them.

"They've had to deal with losing Filip Stuparevic to an ACL injury that he'll be having to recover for six-nine months from, it wasn't great for the group either.

"They've lost one of their teammates. Tomi Adeloye takes a knock yesterday, which then kills him. We're still missing Iain Wilson too.

"And if you want to look back to last season, it's like riding the string twice.

"I've lost three players that would have, on the norm, have started. So, yeah, it wasn't an ideal preparation.

"But listen, the first half, the two goals could have been avoided. The first one, I've told them before the game, that our fielders flip into pockets of space and we need to stick to them and we don't, so we get punished. Simple as that.

"Scott Arfield is a top player, you can't give him that time and space on the ball. And the second one is just so naïve.

"We spoke about it. The goal that they scored, we have allowed them to run for the by-line and they patched right across the 18-yard line and put it in one corner.

"At times, obviously they're tired, but just naïve at times. But, like I say, I'm not going to be too critical of my team."

Imrie is proud of his teams efforts over the last week (Image: alex craig) Imrie was full of praise for a Falkirk team who didn't give his side a moment's peace on Friday night.

And he says he'll try to pick up his battle weary troops ahead of Tuesday night's visit to West Lothian where they'll face Livingston.

He added: "Falkirk are relentless. They just keep coming and our boys are out on their feet tonight. "e have to go again.

"We have to go again Tuesday. They don't come any harder than Tuesday night away at Livingston.

"So we'll have to regroup and see what damage is done tonight, re-injuries, etc. and pick a team that can go and compete to try and pick up more points.