Green shoots of recovery evident in Ton defeat

Roger Graham 1551 - 1551 • Published 25 Feb 2008 12:30

MORTON 1, ST JOHNSTONE 2

IT wasn"t the winning start to his Cappielow managerial career that Davie Irons might have wanted, but the new boss was not too unhappy with the afternoon"s work.

He saw enough from his players to suggest that the building blocks are there to make progress. And the pragmatic view of Saturday"s outcome was always likely to favour a St Johnstone team which has been making great strides towards catching up on leading pair Hamilton and Dundee.

Old Cappielow favourite Derek McInnes has quietly and effectively taken over the reins at McDiarmid Park, and his team play the sort of football he himself was associated with during the season at Cappielow that led to him being whisked off to Ibrox.

In the opening 10 minutes it was clear that the visitors were keenly motivated, playing at a high tempo with three up front against the home back three.

In just four minutes the impressive Paul Sheerin sent MacDonald free on the right with a sweeping pass. His early cross came to Milne who might have shot at the back post, but took a touch, and the chance was lost. Sheerin again was prominent with a free kick in behind the home defence from the right, Jackson at full stretch only managing to shoot tamely at Robinson.

Gradually, Morton began to come into the match, however, Ryan McGuffie providing the team"s first response with a shot with the outside of his right foot from 20 yards.

In 16 minutes, the hosts went better still with a goal. Jim McAlister sped outside Irvine down the left and whipped in a great left-footed cross. Peter Weatherson eluded his marker, rose and looped a header over Main and just underneath the crossbar for an excellent opener.

Wake was almost in again, only for Main to block, before Saints gained parity just short of the half hour. Possession was given away and Irvine drove through the inside right channel, sending a low ball across the goalmouth. Milne"s first attempt struck the right post, but his second from the rebound beat Robinson from close range.

It was a disappointing goal to lose, but Morton were competing manfully, a dangerous McAlister corner skimming the crossbar only for a foul to relieve the pressure on the visitors.

Half-time was looming when St Johnstone went in front with a beautiful piece of football. Stanic floated a perfect long ball up to Jackson on the left side of the box. His lay-off was perfect and Milne"s drive from outside the area sizzled into the net with Robinson helpless.

Upon the resumption, McGuffie"s drive was saved at the second attempt by Main, but it was Milne who provided the first real threat of the half when his shot through Harding"s legs was parried by Robinson and then cleared.

Russell came on for Wake who had struggled to make an impression then Robinson tipped over a fierce Quinn drive as St Johnstone began to take control with some good football. Craig"s angled drive was beaten down by Robinson before MacGregor came on for skipper Barry Smith, who was clearly feeling the effects of a knee injury he has been carrying. Soon after, Morton were denied by the offside flag when McLaughlin"s free kick was back headed into the net by Harding.

A great block by Stewart Greacen on McBreen prevented an excellent goal opportunity before Kevin Finlayson was handily placed to clear James" header from a corner off the line.

Jamie Stevenson came on for McGuffie as Morton sought to find new ways of unlocking the Saints defence.

With eight minutes remaining, McAlister"s excellent long ball fell to Russell, but his first touch let him down and an opportunity went with it. Three minutes later, St Johnstone almost grabbed a third goal when McBreen lobbed over the outcoming Robinson, who collided with him, only for the ball to sneak wide of the right post.

Morton remained determinedly defiant, however, and when Weatherson set up McLaughlin, his angled effort was cleared away by Main.

Morton were frantically pushing on now and, in the third minute of added-on time, it looked as if their reward might come. McAlister was provider for Russell, but his swerving drive from what looked like an offside position, smacked off the crossbar from 16 yards.

That was the end of the action and Morton"s disappointment was at least alleviated by the news that their nearest relegation rivals all lost too.

Morton (3-5-2): Robinson; Greacen, Smith (MacGregor 69), Harding; Finlayson, McGuffie (Stevenson 76), McLaughlin, Jenkins, McAlister; Wake (Russell 54), Weatherson. Subs not used - McAnespie, McGurn.

St Johnstone (4-3-3): Main; Irvine, Rutkiewick (James 67), McManus, Stanic; Quinn (Moon 86), Sheerin, Craig; Milne, Jackson, MacDonald (McBreen 69). Subs not used - Weatherston, Cuthberts.

Bookings: Rutkiewicz 18, Quinn 20, Moon 87.

Referee: John McKendrick.

Attendance: 2,539.

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 25 Feb 08

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