QUEEN OF SOUTH-MORTON 1-1 (League One)

QUEEN of SOUTH 1 - Lancaster 72
MORTON 1 - Grady 41

Note: Palmerston Park, Dumfries, 2.643 spettatori.

On a dreich day in Dumfries, Morton continued their unbeaten form at Palmerston since returning to the First Division last season.

In five meetings between the sides there — four in the league and one Challenge Cup tie — the Greenock men have won three and drawn two.

It was a measure of their current form and upbeat mood following two successive, key league victories, that they left Palmerston feeling a sense of disappointment with one point instead of three.

Over the piece, both sides had their chances but, at one up with 17 minutes to go, the balance of power was with the visitors, Queen of the South boss Gordon Chisholm later admitting that he couldn’t see an equaliser coming at that stage.

Come it did, however, and after that the game really opened up, each side creating opportunities in an entertaining finale in which play flowed from end to end. In the conditions it was a more than decent contest.

Morton again had several big performances, Stewart Greacen and Allan McManus stalwarts at the back, Kevin Cuthbert stoic in goal, Allan Jenkins again a powerhouse in midfield, wee James Grady popping up to head the opener and Peter Weatherson holding the ball up well.

Again, though, it was a team effort.Everyone had his moments and, with Dunfermline on cup duty, Morton crept up another place in the table to fourth spot, albeit only one win ahead of third bottom Queens.

That just sums up this league, as did second bottom Clyde’s Firhill victory over second top Partick on the same afternoon.

Morton showed their positive intent in the opening minute when Allan Jenkins’ drive was deflected for a corner. But Queens had their own agenda, and seven minutes later Stephen Dobbie’s angled shot was cleared away near the line by Stewart Greacen.

MacFarlane replaced the injured Burns for the hosts who provided the game’s next threat in 24 minutes. Kean set up Tosh whose excellent run took him into the box only for Cuthbert to come to the rescue with a good block.

Morton countered when Erik Paartalu’s pass was beautifully knocked on by Jim McAlister, taking him clear on the left, but his angled drive flew narrowly wide of the left post.

Then Grady’s glancing header from Paartalu’s cross was just too near ex-Morton goalkeeper Lee Robinson.

Queen of the South responded and, from a McCann corner on the left, Kean’s effort was blocked and rebounded to Cuthbert.

Peter Weatherson received a yellow card for a foul on Thomson, only to rob the big fellow a minute later. He was slightly off-balance as his attempted lob was hit off target.

James Grady’s controlled shot curled wide and over the target before the home side ought to have taken the lead in 40 minutes. An excellent pass by Harris put Robertson through in the inside left channel only for his shot to slide narrowly wide of the right post.

Morton made the most of that piece of good fortune a minute later. Peter Weatherson struck an audacious free kick from fully 35 yards, forcing Robinson to dive to his right and touch the ball wide of the post. From a short corner, McAlister’s cross arrived in the box and there was James Grady, the smallest man on the park, actually stooping to head in the opener.

That was how it stayed at the break. Seven minutes into the new half a strong Jenkins run allowed McAlister the chance to cross from the left. The ball was partially cleared to Grady whose shot was blocked.

Iain Russell had not long replaced Grady when Kevin Finlayson’s long ball from the right switched the play to the substitute. The pass was struck just too long, allowing Robinson to block the striker’s effort.

With time ticking by, Morton were closer to a third consecutive win. But then, Queens struck. Excellent play by Dobbie in a tight situation on the left wing gave Harris room for a cross which was diverted for a corner.

It was quickly taken and was a triumph of aerial combat, ‘Bomber’ Harris playing the ball in from near the left corner of the box to Lancaster who flew in at the back post to squeeze the ball home.

An excellent turn and shot by the dangerous Dobbie produced an equally good save by Cuthbert at full stretch as both sides battled for a winner.

A McAlister cross was headed on by Weatherson towards Russell, Robinson just pinching the ball from the substitute.

Back came Queens after McManus was booked for blocking Dobbie. The free kick was touched to Dobbie whose drive was deflected narrowly over the junction of right post and crossbar.

Then an excellent run by Harris produced a shot blocked near the penalty spot by Smith and the final whistle soon signalled the division of the points.

It was probably a fair enough result over the 90 minutes, each manager believing their side deserved more from the match.

For Morton, the most pleasing aspect was again their determination to play adventurous football whenever possible. A win at Cappielow over bottom club Airdrie tomorrow night would surely virtually assure their First Division status for another season.

Queen of South: Robinson, Lancaster, Aitken, Thomson, Harris, McCann (Wilson 67), Robertson (McQuilken 76), Tosh, Burns (MacFarlane 9), Kean, Dobbie. CT: Chris Chisholm.
Unused: Halliwell, Weatherston.

Morton: Cuthbert, McManus, Smith, Greacen, Paartalu (Masterton 78), Jenkins, Finlayson, McGuffie, McAlister, Weatherson (Wake 83), Grady (Russell 62). CT: Davie Irons.
Unused: Cannon, Walker.

Arbitro: B. Winter