MORTON-DUNFERMLINE ATH. 2-1 (League One)

MORTON 2 - Weatherson 28; Greacen 48
DUNFERMLINE ATH 1 - Kirk rig. 83

Note: Cappielow Stadium, Greenock, 2.192 spettatori.

Three key points were collected by Morton prior to three key, consecutive games against their immediate rivals at the bottom end of the table.

It was a very important result, but it was the performance which offered at least as much pleasure for the Cappielow support.

Where Morton were one-dimensional, predictable and lacking any invention against Partick Thistle the previous week at Firhill, they were expansive, creative and adventurous for an hour of this match against one of the principal promotion contenders.

It was a win which supported the view that fortune does often favour the brave, even if Morton reverted to an all-too familiar nervousness when trying to protect their lead.

Last month they dominated for an hour against Livingston, took the same two-goal lead and then seemed to become mesmerised by their opponents to the extent that their lead was frittered away.

There was a sense of déjà vu against Dunfermline. After reverting to a back four when the visitors went three up front, Morton began to defend deeper, affording the Fifers more room in midfield which they occupied only too willingly. When Morton conceded a rather soft penalty the jitters began to flow round Cappielow like an invisible Mexican Wave. This time, though, they held on.

The hosts began with a formation designed to take the initiative, three at the back permitting Erik Paartalu to come into a protective midfield role and Allan Jenkins to join Ryan McGuffie in centre midfield.

Allan McManus also played as a replacement for Dom Shimmin, not fully recovered from a strain, and the new men all did well.

Jenkins was particularly effective and a driving, positive influence at the heart of the home team, setting the tone in a bright first 45 minutes. His early shot was deflected for a corner before the redoubtable skipper Stewart Greacen was booked for a late challenge in midfield.

Morton were eager, enthusiastic and sharp in those key opening moments, and the crowd were lifted as a consequence.

McGuffie glanced a header wide, then Peter Weatherson turned on a Paartalu shy to force Gallacher to save his low, angled drive before Jim McAlister went close.

In 24 minutes James Grady beautifully dummied a McGuffie pass to release McAlister wide left. His angled drive was blocked at the near post by Gallacher at the expense of a corner, but Morton were making a clear statement of intent.

Three minutes later they took a deserved lead. McGuffie’s pass between a Fifer’s legs found McAlister running free down the left wing and his early, whipped cross arrived perfectly for Weatherson to jacknife a header in at the back post.

Loy replaced the injured Holmes for the visitors as Morton continued to make the running. A neat lobbed pass by Jenkins found McGuffie and his drive was deflected too near the goalkeeper.

McAlister and Grady typified this new-found confidence with some pomp on the left before Wilson brought proceedings to a halt by sending Jenkins tumbling in the box. Referee Tumilty dismissed decent appeals for a penalty and the teams departed at the interval with Morton well worth their advantage.

Two minutes after the break Morton continued on their merry way. Paartalu’s touch was deflected for a corner on the right. McManus got his head to Finlayson’s flag kick, the ball fell to Greacen at the back post who miskicked before regaining possession to run the ball into the net from close range.

The captain was clearly enjoying himself, and almost added another only to see his drive from seven yards blocked. Then his header from Jenkins’ neat cross was tipped over by Gallacher.

Mole replaced Thomson as the Pars went three at the back. Woods later came on for Glass and prompted a 3-4-3 formation, Morton responding by substituting Paartalu with Smith and switching to 4-4-2.

Familiar old failings developed with the defence sitting deeper as Dunfermline occupied the space in midfield.

In 75 minutes the Pars produced their first shot on target, a good move culminating in Phinn’s drive being touched over the crossbar by Cuthbert. Bell’s volley then flew narrowly over as the visitors sensed an opportunity.

Yet it might have been 3-0 with nine minutes to go. Finlayson’s cross from the right swirled to the back post where Weatherson headed into the side-netting.

Wake replaced the tiring Grady then, with seven minutes to go, Dunfermline finally got the goal they were so desperately seeking. With Bell moving out of the box, McAlister got a foot in to touch the ball out of the area. In so doing he nudged Bell who went down dramatically enough to win the spot kick.

It may have been harsh — even if the challenge wasn’t necessary — but Kirk sent Cuthbert the wrong way to net inside the right post and bring real hope to the Pars. Morton took the ball into the corners to waste time then, with a minute to go, Loy might have snatched an equaliser, but the ball got caught under his feet and his strike lacked power.

The final whistle blew shortly after Iain Russell had come on to replace Peter Weatherson whose ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play had been as valuable as his goal.

It was Morton’s afternoon, and they travel to Broadwood tomorrow night with a four-point gap between themselves and Clyde.

Morton: Cuthbert, McManus, Walker, Paartalu (Smith 70), Greacen, Jenkins, Finlayson, McGuffie, Weatherson (Russell 89), Grady (Wake 80), McAlister. CT: Davie Irons.
Unused: Cannon, McGeough.

Dunfermline Athletic: Gallacher, Thomson (Mole 58), Wilson, Phinn, Shields, McCann, Bell, Glass, Bayne, Kirk (Donnelly 86), Holmes (Loy 36). CT: Jim McIntyre.
Unused: Reidford, Burke.

Arbitro: M. Tumilty