QUEENS boss Gus MacPherson launched an astonishing attack on his Morton counterpart Allan Moore after seeing his side move off the foot of the First Division table.
Doonhamers debut boy Sam Parkin netted a second-half double to help the hosts leapfrog Ayr.
However, it was matters off the park that had MacPherson fuming with comments concerning the Palmerston pitch and the type of players needed to compete on it attributed to Moore prior to the game sparking a war of words.
MacPherson said: “I am delighted with the win but the most important thing is we answered the criticism from the opposition.
“Allan Moore did a lot of talking before the game about the pitch here and individual players, so he had better back it up. But our players were excellent and won the points.
“It was nothing short of disrespectful what he said. He has been in the game long enough to know what he was saying.
“You can criticise the pitch but he went too far and he knows it because he has apologised. He has got a lot to say for himself but he was apprehensive coming here and he was getting his excuses in early.”
Morton manager Moore insisted his pre-match remarks were not meant in any disrespect as the Greenock outfit were dragged to within five points of the dropzone.
He said: “It has not come out the way I meant. I was talking about how I would sign players to play with the conditions.
“There was no way it was meant to be derogatory about Queens and I apologise if people see it that way.
“Gus and I had a little spat during the game but these things happen sometimes. But I plan to go and see him just now and hopefully we will shake hands.”