Morton 1-0 Partick Thistle

Published on Saturday 20 March 2010 20:11

Morton 1 McAlister 90 Partick Thistle 0

A LATE, late winner from captain Jim McAlister was enough to ensure Morton took the points and boosted their fight for automatic First Division survival. If they survive what is an increasingly frantic dogfight this could prove to be a pivotal day in the Greenock men's season.

With Morton embroiled in a fight for their lives at the wrong end of the table it was only natural they started with far more purpose than a Thistle team long since consigned to mid-table mediocrity. The home side should have been ahead after five minutes when Donovan Simmonds ran in on goal only to slash hopelessly wide. Morton dominated the opening half hour, but couldn't make the breakthrough they craved.

Eventually, Thistle woke from their slumbers and finished the half well on top and ruing their failure to take several very good chances as the interval neared. Mark Corcoran saw a measured lob drift inches over before being denied minutes later by the legs of Kevin Cuthbert, and Simon Donnelly looked to have opened the scoring with a rebounded effort from six yards only to see Kevin McKinlay clear from under the bar.

The second period was little better as Thistle's propensity to pass up sitters continued when Paul Cairney somehow managed to not score when set up perfectly by Liam Buchanan who then had a miss of his own when he blasted into the side-netting with the goal at his mercy. Such wastefulness was duly punished, albeit deep inside time added on, with McAlister taking on the Jags defence before drilling home his priceless winner past Tuffey with the aid of a slight deflection.