Morton 1 - 0 Partick Thistle: Morton close in on safety

MORTON took a significant step towards First Division survival with a hard-earned win over a Thistle side who were unlucky to leave Cappielow empty-handed.

Peter MacDonald notched the decisive strike in eight minutes when Fouad Bachirou cut the ball back for Michael Tidser and his cross was met with a bullet header by MacDonald. Jags keeper Scott Fox parried the effort but was helpless as MacDonald followed up to nod home.

Thistle responded through Stephen O’Donnell’s 18–yard shot which drew a fingertip save from Alan Combe, who pushed the ball on to the bar and out.

Thistle were enjoying most of the ball as half-time approached and there was little change on the restart but chances were rare. Their best opportunity arose when O’Donnell’s cross led to a scramble and Chris Erskine saw his shot charged down.

Morton: Combe; Evans, Forsyth, Smyth, Graham, Tidser, Flannigan (O’Ware 18) (McGeough 46), Bachirou, MacDonald, Campbell (Jackson 56), Young. Subs: Weatherson, McGinley

Partick: Fox; O’Donnell (McAleer 74), Sinclair (McGuigan 24), Paton, Robertson (Balatoni 12), Archibald, Cairney, Bannigan, Doolan, Welsh, Erskine Subs: Elliott, Scully.

Referee: S McLean. Attendance: 1,637.