Morton 0 - 2 Partick Thistle

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 19:03

Buchanan 52; Donnelly 55

THISTLE got their faltering promotion push back on the rails after suffering two successive defeats with a boat-steadying win over punchless Morton. Ian McCall's men showed no signs of eroded confidence in the impressive manner they went about their business, sealing the points with a vastly improved second-half showing, although had the home team been more clinical in the early stages it could all have been so different.

The relegation strugglers, boosted by good turns from trialists David van Zanten and Alan Reid, did everything other than open the scoring during the course of an opening half in which they enjoyed almost total ascendancy. Morton with their newly acquired former St Mirren players on board set about Thistle from the off and missed chance after chance as Peter Weatherson failed twice to hit the target, and strike partner Brian Wake was denied by the reflexes of Jonny Tuffey, as the Northern Ireland internationalist made two splendid saves low down.

Having failed to take their chances Morton were duly punished seven minutes after the break, Liam Buchanan tucking away a chance he couldn't miss having been picked out perfectly by Simon Donnelly. Three minutes later the points were Maryhill bound as Buchanan returned the favour by cutting back for Donnelly, who failed a Cappielow trial in the summer, to roll home.

Credit Morton with looking an improved unit under the tutelage of their newly appointed joint managerial team, but unless they add clinical cutting edge they will continue to struggle.