Own goal sees Cup campaign start with loss

BERWICK opened their Betfred Cup account with a slender 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Morton at Shielfield.

The only goal of the game came via an own goal, scored by Rangers’ Oliver Fleming in the first half.

Berwick included new signing Chris McDonald in their line-up, the full back having only signed from Whitley Bay 24 hours earlier after impressing in a home friendly against Hibernian in midweek.

After five minutes Ricki Lamie headed wide after Berwick keeper Robbie McCrorie failed with a punched clearance.

Rangers enjoyed some possession in the first half hour and Callum Donaldson broke through for Rangers and fired over from 15 yards, while Gary Phillips pulled a shot wide from the edge of the box.

But Morton started to push Berwick back and on 28 minutes McCrorie misplaced a goal kick, only to redeem himself, saving with his feet from Gary Oliver at close range, before Oliver headed over from a cross by Michael Doyle.

The deadlock was broken after 33 minutes when the visitors broke down the right and a cross into the box was turned into his own net by Fleming.

Straight from the kick-off Jai Quitongo broke through but his effort was smothered by McCrorie and after 41 minutes Quitongo also fired over from the edge of the box leaving the Championship side in the driving seat at the break.

Chances were more at a premium in the second half, although Morton enjoyed more possession and forced Berwick to defend.

On a rare occasion they broke out, Rangers created their best chance when McDonald slipped the ball through to Greg Rutherford, whose scuffed shot slipped past the post.

Substitute Ross Forbes forced McCrorie into a save with a swirling shot and on 76 minutes McCrorie pulled off a fine full stretch save from a Darren Barr header, before the loose ball was fired over the crossbar.

Right at the death Robert McHugh fired wide at full stretch for Morton following a cross from the left by Mark Russell.