Twins will cap a dream season for Ton star Ross
MORTON midfielder Ross Forbes bagged his 12th goal of the season with the winner against Queen of the South on Saturday – and insists becoming a father to twins will cap off a perfect season.
Forbes netted the only goal of the game in the 54th minute as Ton leapfrogged Dundee United into third place in the Championship.
And the playmaker says he and partner Katie are buzzing with the news, and hoping to celebrate their new additions to the family with a play-off spot for Morton.
He said: “I’ve got twins on the way, so I can’t wait for that. They’re due at the end of May, so it couldn’t have worked out more perfect.”
The game was as scrappy as they come for long spells with neither side wanting to make a mistake, knowing the amount riding on the outcome.
Ton thought they had opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Jamie Lindsay had the ball in the net.
A terrific cross from Shankland found Michael Doyle at the back-post, and his header across goal was tucked in by Lindsay. Ref Craig Charleston adjudged Doyle to have climbed over the top of Jamie Hamill, though, and blew his whistle.
Morton went close again on the half-time whistle. Aidan Nesbitt found space at the back-post for a volley, but lacked the necessary composure and lashed the ball high and wide.
Lyndon Dykes tried his luck after the break for Queens, but his weak attempt was saved. Nesbitt and Stephen Dobbie then both were thwarted for their respective sides in quick succession.
But Cappielow erupted on 54 minutes when Ton opened the scoring. Ross Forbes waltzed past two defenders on the right-hand side, inside the penalty area. He curled an in-swinging effort into the net via a deflection.
Queen of the South were still looking dangerous on the counter, and had a goal of their own chalked off on the hour. A quick throw found Dominic Thomas who teed up Dobbie at the edge of the box. His effort was decent, but parried by Derek Gaston. Joe Thomson pounced on the rebound to slam home past the helpless keeper, but he was offside.
Lawrence Shankland curled a spectacular effort towards the top corner not long after, but Lee Robinson tipped it inches over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Forbes picked out Lee Kilday, but his header fell just wide of the right-hand post.
Gary Naysmith voiced his displeasure after the game, saying: “It probably should’ve been a draw. I don’t know what Jim [Duffy] says, I thought a draw would’ve been a fair result.”
Jim Duffy is delighted to see his side chasing down Falkirk in the race to finish second to Hibs. The sides go head-tohead on Saturday at the Falkirk Stadium with Morton knowing victory will bring them level with the Bairns having played two games less.
Duffy said: “I couldn’t be happier for the players. The fact that we have moved above Dundee United, shows how far we have come as a group.
“I am really delighted. Queen of the South made it really difficult for us but we got the goal at a good time.
Meanwhile, Dumbarton boosted their survival bid with a convincing 4-0 home win over Raith Rovers.
Robert Thomson opened the scoring after six minutes and the same player struck again to put the Sons in command before the break. On-loan Hibs midfielder Sam Stanton netted the third early in the second half before Garry Fleming sealed an emphatic victory over toiling Rovers in stoppage time.