Morton 2 - 2 Airdrie United: Ten-man Morton dig deep to force a replay

Published on Tuesday 18 January 2011 17:56

TEN-MAN Morton had to battle back from two goals down to salvage a replay against Second Division Airdrie and keep alive their hopes of a trip to Inverness Caley Thistle in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

Airdrie took the lead in spectacular style in 23 minutes when Ryan McCord carved out the opening in midfield. He knocked the ball left to Gary Mackay- Steven, who turned on to his left foot and sent a stunning 25-yard shot high into the net past a helpless Colin Stewart.

Airdrie might have gone two up in 31 minutes after a horror blunder in defence by Kevin McKinlay let in Andy Ferguson, but his first-time 20-yard drive was well held by Stewart.

Morton should have levelled three minutes before the break when Brian Graham's ten-yard shot was palmed away by Ridgers after brilliant work in the box by Stewart Kean. Two minutes later, as the Greenock side surged forward again, Ridgers produced a wonderful double save, first to deny O'Brien and then Graham. Two minutes into the second half Airdrie went two up when Scott Gemmill was stopped in his tracks by Stuart McCaffrey, and from the free-kick, fully 40 yards out, Jamie Stevenson crashed the ball low into the far corner of the net.

And in 49 minutes Airdrie should have made it three when Mackay-Steven set up Ferguson, but his close-range volley was blocked by Stewart. Morton pulled one back in 52 minutes when O'Brien lofted a cross over from the left and Graham sent a downward header into the net.

Two minutes later the First Division side were reduced to ten men when Marc Smyth was red carded for a second bookable offence. However, the Greenock side levelled in 63 minutes when McCaffrey sent a fabulous through ball to Stewart Kean, who cut inside and rifled home a low angled drive.

Morton: Stewart, Evans, McKinlay, Smyth, McCaffrey, Tidser, Jenkins, Holmes (Bachirou 68), Kean, Graham (Weatherson 82), O'Brien. Subs: Monti, Kelbie, Cuthbert.

Airdrie United: Ridgers, Bain (Muir 70), Goodall (Lovering 68), Grant, Forrest, Devlin, Stevenson, McCord, Gemmill, Ferguson (Craig 57), Mackay-Steven. Subs: Fisher, Szpilczynski.