Morton 0 - 1 Dunfermline: Pars breach Fortress Cappielow

Morton suffered defeat at Cappielow just one game short of a calendar year, and at the same time had their slender hopes of mounting a title challenge on leaders Hibs brought to a halt.

Nat Wedderburn (8) celebrates his goal with team-mates. Picture: Sammy Turner/SNS

Greenock boss Jim Duffy said: “There are games you can play in and be unfortunate to lose. This was not one of them. Dunfermline deserved to win. We were not as sharp in any department. The performance was nowhere near the levels we have attained this season. This league is an unforgiving league.”

Ton had the first chance after seven minutes when, with the second of two corners in quick succession, Ross Forbes swung the ball over from the left and Lee Kilday dived in between a static Pars’ defence but couldn’t get his header on target.

The Pars, who have only enjoyed four victories in their previous 14 meetings against Morton, took the lead after 16 minutes. Kallum Higginbotham fired over an out-swinging corner from the right, which was spilled by goalkeeper Derek Gaston. Nicky Clark was first to react at the back post and turned the ball back across for Nat Wedderburn, pictured, to tap the ball home from a yard out. Such was his delight in scoring his first for the club and only the fourth of his career, that he was booked for over celebrating.

Callum Morris had the ball in the net for the Fifers in 74 minutes with a header from a Higginbotham corner, but referee Matt Northcroft enraged the Pars by chalking it off.

Pars boss Allan Johnston said: “We had a determination to win the game and defended well. Morton have been brilliant this season so it was great to restrict them to so few opportunities.

“The goal that was disallowed should have stood. There wasn’t much in it. But this was a massive win.”