Caley Thistle boss Billy Dodds admits side were off pace in four-goal loss at Morton

Shell-shocked Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds admitted they lacked quality all over the park as they were thumped 4-0 at Morton.

Inverness, with eight players out through injury, slipped to a horrible league loss on a night to forget.

Queen’s Park and Dundee shared four goals tonight too, which means it’s Ayr United, Morton, Queen’s Park and ICT.

An own goal from David Carson followed early strikes from Robbie Muirhead and a Grant Gillespie follow-up from his saved penalty.

In the second half, Ton added another through Cameron Blues to add further gloss.

And ICT boss Dodds pulled no punches as the dust settled in Greenock.

He said: “We didn’t defend well and finish well. If you put that into the game, you’re not going to win it.

“We passed the ball well on occasions and we had periods of play, which seems crazy when we lost 4-0.

“Ultimately, when you defend like that and let runners go…and there were so many of them, that’s what happens.

“We lost the goals and then it becomes a mountain to climb, because the players are demoralised and down. We stuck at it and we lost another crazy goal, then another one.

“We stuck at it again in the second half. We were unlucky with the fourth goal. We had a couple of tackles and there was good passing from the boy (Cameron Blues) and they scored.

“Morton were ruthless. As much as my defenders didn’t produce, and didn’t defend key areas at vital times, I don’t think the forwards, wide players or even midfielders getting in the box were ruthless enough.

“I’d like someone to get hurt by throwing themselves at it.”

Morton manager Dougie Imrie was thrilled but cautious after this emphatic win.

He said: “We’re just delighted to pick up another three points.

“It was always going to be a tough game but the boys put in the effort and they got the rewards.

“We’ve got to keep our feet in the ground, there are tough games to come, we go to Ayr next, and there’s a long way to go.

“At this moment we’re in a good place, the confidence is high and we’ve just got to keep going.

“If you can keep clean sheets it gives you that platform to win games, that’s four on the bounce. We’ve just got to keep going. The league is so tight this season, it’s crazy.”

Inverness return to the Caledonian Stadium next Saturday when Arbroath come calling, while Morton travel to high-flying Ayr United.