Ayr United manager Jim Duffy says it was ‘painful’ that his side did not pick up three points at the weekend, as they drew 2-2 with Greenock Morton.

The Honest Men went into the Scottish Championship clash desperate to get back to winning ways in the league, having gone six games without one prior to kick off.

It was a nightmare start for the away side however, as the hosts took the lead in the first half.

Gozie Ugwu headed in Gavin Reilly’s cross to give Morton the lead at the interval.

In the second half, Ayr United rallied and grabbed an equaliser through sub Stephen Bradley. The Honest Men then took the lead four minutes after the winger’s strike, with another sub getting on the scoresheet.

Tomi Adeloye twisted and turned in the box before sticking in from close distance.

However, it was not to be for Jim Duffy’s men as the hosts grabbed a late equaliser through Ugwu as the points were shared.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Duffy said: “Disappointment was the overriding emotion at the end of the game, which is a good thing to be disappointed that you did not win and get the three points away from home.

“But it was definitely frustrating because I felt in the second half once we got the equaliser we were the team more likely to win it.

“We then got ourselves in front and we were not under any real pressure, it was a long ball into the box from a free kick and we really should have dealt with it.

“It was just such a soft goal to give away.

“So, from that point of view we were disappointed but we take the game as a whole over the 90 minutes then you take a point away from home in this division.

“It is not the worst result in the world, but it was certainly more painful on Saturday.”

Next up for Ayr United is Friday night football as they host Hamilton, with Duffy hoping his players will thrive under the lights.

He said: “It is on TV so the players should look forward to these types of games.

“It gives them the chance to show people that they are good players.”