McKinnon frustrated with League Cup defeat

Morton made history by reaching the Betfred Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over fellow Championship side Dundee United at Cappielow.

Ton attacker Jai Quitongo blasted the home side into the lead in the 24th minute before stand-in skipper Thomas O'Ware added a second just after the half-hour mark with a header.

Nick van der Velden reduced the deficit in the 55th minute. A dejected United boss Ray McKinnon let his players know that a similar performance "will not be tolerated again''.

He said: "That is not good enough for me and they are aware of that now.

"I am pretty disappointed with them tonight and I told them that.

"In the first half we wanted to pay tippy-tappy football with no purpose. We never threated them enough for me, we had a lot of possession but did nothing with it.

"We got caught with set piece and an horrific first goal, so avoidable. "So it is very frustrating and I am very disappointed with them.

"We worked on crosses but I think it is desire. They wanted to head that ball more than we wanted to head it, that is frustrating that we are not matching that.

"I am not going to give them any credit for the second half because effectively I don't think they were any better than the first half.

"We were ragged, there was no penetration. We got the goal back and for the spell it looked like we would get the equaliser but we are better than that."

It was a landmark quarter-final victory for Jim Duffy’s side. Morton were beaten 2-1 by Rangers in the 1981 Scottish Cup semi-finals, while their last League Cup semi-final was against Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in 1979, which they also lost.

The former Morton defender said: "1979 was the last time we were in the League Cup semi-final and there have been a lot of fantastic sides at this club since then.

"The fact we have managed to achieve it is brilliant. We have beaten two Premiership teams (Kilmarnock and Hamilton) and beaten a top-class side in United.

"It's a piece of history for the club. We weren't thinking about that but for the club it's great.''

Duffy was pleased with the way his side stood up to United after the break.

He said: "It was a terrific cup tie. We started really well and got the two goals.

"We had to deal with pressure but I can't remember Andy (McNeil) having too much to do and we always looked a threat. "One or two of the players got a wee bit edgy but you expect that. We weathered a storm and did well.

"We shifted things around, we brought young players on and I'm delighted.

"United are a fantastic side who are trying to get back to the Premiership but this is our night. We are in the semi-final and we will enjoy it."

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