IAN MURRAY admits Dumbarton were up against it from the off as they missed the chance to edge closer to the top half of the Championship on Saturday.

The Sons fell seven points adrift of mid-table rivals Falkirk as they went down 3-0 to Peter Houston's side at the Bet Butler Stadium.

Rory Loy had the Bairns ahead after just 11 minutes and there was to be no fightback from Dumbarton as they suffered a frustrating defeat.

Blair Alston and Craig Sibbald found the net in quick succession late on as the Sons pushed for a way back into the game.

Boss Murray said: "We didn't start the game well and conceding an early goal made it really difficult for us.

"We competed better in the second half but didn't get a break in front of goal."

In League One, Jim Duffy was furious with his sloppy Morton defence as they went down 1-0 at home to fellow promotion hopefuls Peterhead.

Former Ton star Jamie Stevenson netted the only goal of the game at Cappielow as he broke clear and beat Derek Gaston 11 minutes into the second half.

Morton remain third in the table and five points off top spot, which is now occupied by in-form Stranraer after they took advantage of Forfar's slip-up at home to Airdrie.

And Greenock gaffer Duffy was disappointed with his side as it turned into a day to forget for the Ton.

He said: "It was a shocking, shocking goal to lose. A ball up the park, a head flick and a player gambling on it. Those should be tidied up all day.

"In the second half it almost looked like someone had taken the batteries out of the players as there was no spark."