Greenock Morton 2 Peterhead 1

Last updated : 01 October 2005 By Footymad Previewer

'Ton kept in touch with league leaders Gretna with a narrow win over Peterhead, who should have returned north with a point but substitute Scott Michie missed a late penalty.

The home side kept up a constant bombardment of the away goal from the very start, Chris Millar testing Paul Mathers before any Peterhead player had touched the ball.

Slick play throughout the team gave Morton the upper hand, and Alex Walker shot wide as an early goal seemed certain. The goal, however, came at the other end. Peter Weatherson was caught out by an awkward bouncing ball as Chris Hegarty made inroads on the home goal, and referee Clark pointed to the spot as contact with hand was made. Robert Linn made an expert job of the kick.

The equaliser came shortly after Mathers had made a splendid save from Walker. Andy McLaren's sublime trickery took him past Calvin Shand and Hegarty before he delivered a perfect cross for Chris Templeman to head past Mathers from eight yards.

McLaren was running the show and a second goal was anticipated, but efforts from Weatherson, Millar and David McGregor went wide while Mathers made two outstanding saves from Walker.

McGregor finally edged Morton in front when he appeared at the back post to volley in a McLaren corner.

The home fans were nervous as Peterhead fought desperately for a share of the points, and The Blue Toon should have equalised when Jim McAlister shoved Graeme Sharp in the box but Michie's firmly-struck kick cannoned off the post.