ALLAN MOORE was pleased with his experimental Morton line-up as they kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United last night.

A penalty from former Motherwell striker Chris Porter 20 minutes from time was enough to clinch a 1-0 win for the Blades and new boss David Weir at Cappielow.

Moore has been scouring the globe in his bid to strengthen his squad this summer and fielded five trialists from the start – and included another three on the bench – against the Blades.

After losing key man Michael Tidser to Rotherham United following his £50,000 move south of the border, Cappielow boss Moore is keen to strengthen his midfield area ahead of the new SPFL Championship campaign.

French keeper Nicolas Caraux has signed a deal with the Ton to challenge No.1 Derek Gaston.

And Moore was pleased with the rest of his contract hopefuls after a decent showing against Weir's League One side.

The Ton boss said: "That is what these games are for. We had six or seven trialists and we have still got more that didn't get a game. We have got a closed-door game against Motherwell on Saturday and we will have another look at a few.

"We signed the big goalkeeper before the game. I think big Gats (Gaston) will be worried because he has got a bit of competition. That is what we need. We are looking forward to working with him. He has come in for a year.

"Three of the Slovakian boys played as well. I felt sorry for the No.10, he is better than what he showed. He has got great technical ability. He has had his hamstring strapped up before the game and I never saw it. He has done it himself.

"He said to his coach that he thought this might be the only chance he would get and he didn't want to waste it. I told him not to be silly. He can do better than that, there is no doubt about it.

"The No.4 is big and aggressive and likes to get about people and that is what we need, that will suit the First Division."

The night may have ended in defeat for Morton but it was to prove a worthwhile exercise against the Blades.

Winning a place in the SPFL Premiership will be Morton's aim next term and Moore admits there were some positives at Cappielow.

He said: "We were playing against a good team. I think we got a bit of a runround at times, I felt we had to believe in ourselves.

"We had a lot of balls in the air, when we got it on the ground we had chances.

"We knew it was going to be difficult. When you play teams from those divisions you know they are going to have a lot of the ball. Wee Freddy (Faoud Bachirou) was different class, though."