It felt like a return to the glory days at Cappielow as the fans poured in, desperate to see the Greenock side close in on Gretna’s five-point lead, to boost the attendance to 5,131, Morton’s biggest of the season. There was even a false start as referee John Underhill was about to blow his whistle for the kick-off when a police officer signalled frantically from the touchline. The outcome was that long wait before all the fans were shoehorned in, with one end of the ground opened for the first time in three years.
It was to the credit of both sides that they served up a match which lived up to its top-of-the-table billing, although I wonder if Underhill would allow some of the unpunished challenges in a Premierleague game. Morton never really got started for most of that first half. They blundered on 10 minutes when captain Stewart Greacen failed to match the jump of Kenny Deuchar and Stefan Gonet, the goalkeeper, scrambled vainly as the striker’s header crossed the line as though in slow motion. It was the amazing Deuchar’s 50th goal in 50 league games.
The Cappielow rearguard were badly at fault for Gretna’s second on 30 minutes when John O’Neil’s throw-in came off the back of teammate Gavin Skelton to allow the midfielder, newly signed from Falkirk, to cross. Defender Chris Innes, on the right, viciously snapped in a shot from 20 yards and the deflation among the home fans was tangible.
They were given a lifeline four minutes from the interval, though, when Andy McLaren’s pinpoint cross was powerfully headed in by Derek Lilley. Gretna should have stretched their lead back to two goals just on half-time, but Deuchar’s header was blocked by Gonet’s foot.
Morton switched to all-out attack and it paid off on 79 minutes when a cross from substitute Jason Walker on the right was headed on by Chris Millar and Peter Weatherson, who had been moved up from defence, swept the ball into the net. Deep into injury time Chris Templeman, thrown on as a substitute, powered through but he swept his shot wide of the post.
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The result even left both managers satisfied. Jim McInally of Morton said: “We fought back so well. I hope we get out of this league, for the attendance shows this team deserves higher-level football.” His only gripe was the referee’s addition of injury time; two minutes were played when McInally judged it at seven.
Rowan Alexander, the Gretna manager who had seven regulars missing, confessed: “It was a fair result. In fact, before the game I’d have taken a draw.” Unfortunately his injury list was extended when Allan Jenkins, another new signing from Stranraer, was stretchered off with severe ligament damage and looks set for a lengthy lay-off.
STAR MAN: John O’Neil (Gretna)
Player ratings. Morton: Gonet 6, Weatherson 6, Greacen 5 (Templeman 89min, 5), Harding 6, MacGregor 6, Millar 6, McLaughlin 5 (Walker 70min, 5), McAlister 5, McLaren 7, McPake 5 (Finlayson 52min, 5) Lilley 6
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Gretna: Main 6, Collins 6, Birch 6, Innes 7, McQuilken 6, Nicholls 6, Jenkins 6 (Shields 48min, 5), O’Neil 8, Graham 6, Deuchar 6, Skelton 6
Scorers: Morton: Lilley 41, Weatherson 79
Gretna: Deuchar 10, Innes 30
Booked: McLaren 36, Deuchar 40, Skelton 76, Finlayson 82
Referee: J Underhill
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Attendance: 5,131