Morton 0-2 Ross County

Published on Saturday 9 May 2009 20:02

Morton 0 Ross County 2 Brittain 55; Higgins 67

ROSS County grabbed the victory required to retain their First Division status and they drew level with their hosts to give the impression when the final league table is looked at, there was little doubt that Derek Adams' side would fall into play-off territory.

The kick off was delayed with the visitors taking the field with two players wearing the No.11 jersey and veteran Craig Brewster's face was as bright red as his side's away jerseys as he left the field to change.

The home side had the first glimpse of goal when Peter Weatherson picked out Iain Russell on the six yard box, but he failed to get a touch.

The Dingwall men's first shot on goal came in eight minutes when clever footwork from Brewster set up a chance for Sean Higgins 25 yards from goal and his drive only cleared Kevin Cuthbert's bar by a few feet.

Morton were starting to impose themselves on the game and they were almost gifted the lead when Andy Downie's back header sneaked past Derek Soutar and the visiting goalkeeper had to dive backwards to stop the ball as it squirmed towards the goalline. Russell missed another opportunity in 28 minutes when Jim McAlister skipped down the left and picked the striker out as he ran in on goal. However, Russell's diving header went well wide of goal. Soutar kept the scoreline blank in 33 minutes with a fine one-handed save when he stretched to turn round a net-bound 20-yard shot from the luckless Russell.

The second half started bathed in sunshine. The home side again looked most likely to open the scoring when Ryan McGuffie broke forward to send a looping header towards goal from 10 yards out and Soutar tipped over as the ball looked set to dip in.

Brewster's footwork created another opportunity as he released Mark McCulloch, only for the midfielder to send a tame shot wide. However, this venture forward inspired the Dingwall men and they took the lead shortly afterwards in 55 minutes.

Mark McCulloch's throw-in from the left was helped across goal by Brewster and midfielder Craig Brittain arrived at the far post to control the ball and send a low shot past Kevin Cuthbert.

The second goal for County arrived midway through the second period with a fine piece of irony involved with Sean Higgins side-footing home a cross from substitute Richard Hart. Higgins was of course involved in a dressing room punch up with manager Adams the last time County visited Greenock.