Morton crush Airdrie to surge eight points clear

By CRAIG P STEWART
Published on 11/02/2013 03:50

Morton extended their advantage at the top of the table to eight points as they eased to a 4-0 victory away to bottom-of-the-league Airdrie.

With second-place Partick Thistle idle following the postponement of their game at Raith Rovers, Allan Moore’s men took full advantage in Lanarkshire.

They were two goals to the good at half-time, with David O’Brien netting from a Peter MacDonald pass and Colin McMenamin notching his first Ton goal a minute before the break.

MacDonald rifled home a Michael Tidser cross on 52 minutes and Kyle Wilkie sealed the win when he darted past two home players to stroke home.

The Diamonds had two men sent off late on, with Marc Warren dismissed six minutes from the end when he picked up his second yellow card, and team-mate Ricki Lamie quickly joining him for going head-to-head with visiting substitute Peter Weatherston.

Morton manager Moore said: “It was a terrific performance. I’m really pleased with how we took our chances. I asked the players to make sure they got the ball up to our front men and they did that. Four goals and a clean sheet is a good day’s work.”

Airdrie manager Jimmy Boyle said: “We didn’t deserve to take anything as we gave the ball away far too cheaply. There is a gap between the sides and we did not do enough to close it.”

Partick’s game at Stark’s Park against Raith Rovers was called off after a morning inspection and it was the second Saturday in a row that interim manager Alan Archibald has been denied the opportunity of leading the Firhill men. The Kirkcaldy match, one of three the Jags have in hand over Morton, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 12.

Dunfermline gained revenge for the previous Saturday’s Scottish Cup defeat by Hamilton Accies by winning 2-1 at New Douglas Park. Andy Kirk netted for the Pars in the first half and Chris Kane did likewise in the second, with the East End Park side seeing things out despite Grant Gillespie pulling a goal back.

Dumbarton also gained a measure of revenge as they turned the table on hosts Livingston with a 3-2 win in West Lothian just seven days after the Lions had triumphed 4-3 at Sons’ Bet Butler ground. Bryan Prunty’s overhead kick gave the Sons an early lead, but Jordan Morton levelled from close range in 22 minutes.

Andy Graham poked Dumbarton ahead again 60 seconds later after a spill by goalkeeper Andy McNeil, with the Lions levelling for a second time through an Iain Russell penalty after he had been fouled by visiting goalkeeper Jamie Ewings.

The winner came from the spot on 69 minutes when Scott Agnew shot home after Kyle Jacobs had fouled Prunty, with Dumbarton seeing the game out with only ten men after Mark Gilhaney was red-carded for dissent while he was limping off to be substituted.

Cowdenbeath overcame an early setback to crush Falkirk 4-1 at Central Park. The Bairns led after just two minutes through Lyle Taylor. But John Armstrong levelled before Kane Hemmings had the Blue Brazil ahead at the interval, with Armstrong and Jamie Stevenson sealing the victory after the interval.