Akins has perfect diet to end Cappielow famine

Published on Saturday 18 April 2009 20:05

Morton 0 Partick Thistle 1 (Akins 20)

PARTICK, who had only taken a single league point in their past seven league visits to Cappielow in the past 12 years, grabbed a precious win after a first half strike by on-loan Lucas Akins.

Morton, unbeaten in their past eight since losing, ironically, to the Jags, at Firhill in mid-February, were under early pressure when a long throw by Ian Maxwell was knocked on by Akins to strike partner Kris Doolan, but his header went just over.

Ten minutes later Akins was involved again when he laid the ball off for Scott Chaplain, running in from the right, but his 15-yard lob was well held by goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.

Morton goalkeeper Cuthbert's hopes of a fourth successive home clean sheet were dashed in 20 minutes when the Jags, undefeated in their past seven away league games since losing at Cappielow at the end of December, took the lead. Gary Harkins cleverly laid the ball off for Akins, who stuck out his right foot and flicked the ball brilliantly into the net from 12 yards. It was his first goal since his January loan move from Hamilton.

Morton were desperately unlucky not to be level three minutes later when Masterton's 25-yard curling right foot free-kick crashed off the base of a post after Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey appeared to leave the shot. The ball spun along the goal line and amazingly past the other post.