Brechin City 1 Greenock Morton 2

Last updated : 02 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer

Morton kept their promotion hopes very much alive with a hard-fought victory over league leaders Brechin.

Brechin had their first chance after 10 minutes when a fierce-struck shot from Charlie King was tipped over by David McGurn.

After 15 minutes, a cross-cum-shot from King was pushed away at full stretch by McGurn. Six minutes later a cross from Steven Hampshire struck McGurn and the Morton defence were happy to see the ball spin to safety. After 25 minutes, Andy McLaren stole in on a throw-in and headed just wide.

In the 33rd minute Morton's James McAlistair had a great chance in a goalmouth scramble, but volleyed the ball wide of the target.

A minute later, Brechin's Craig Winter missed his kick from a great position, and a follow-up effort from Graham Gibson was saved by McGurn.

Brechin continued to attack, and King beat two men and had a shot saved by the busy Morton keeper.

Morton opened the scoring a minute into the second half. An Andy McLaren cross was hooked back by Chris Templeman, and McAlistair headed home. It might have been 2-0 after 50 minutes when Templeman had a header saved with the Brechin defence all at sea.

Morton did, however, increase their lead in the 66th minute wen McLaren volleyed home a John Maisano cross. Just a minute later, Morton had Peter Weatherson sent off for a second booking.

Brechin gave themselves some hope 10 minutes from time when Paul Ritchie scored from a Winter cut-back.

Brechin were also reduced to 10 men three minutes from time when Stuart Callaghan was sent off for a second booking, having collected his first yellow card for remarks to an official before he had even taken the field as a substitute.