Pars frustrated by Ton birthday boy

MORTON 0 DUNFERMLINE 0

DUNFERMLINE crashed out of the Scottish Cup 6-5 on penalties last night after two saves in the shoot-out from Morton’s birthday boy goalkeeper Aidan Mcadams from Euan Murray and Lewis Mayo.

There has been nothing to separate these two sides in their three Championship clashes this season with one win apiece in the two matches in Fife and a goalless draw in their only meeting in Greenock, so it was no surprise when this second round tie went to extra-time.

Morton were first to threaten after four minutes when Reece Lyon created space for himself, but his crisp drive sailed over the bar from 18 yards.

The Pars have not won in their last eight trips to Cappielow since a Nat Wedderburn goal gave them a 1-0 win almost four years ago to the day.

Stevie Crawford’s side, with just four wins in their last 15 outings since the start of December, came close after nine minutes when Kevin O’hara tried his luck from distance but the ball flew just past goalkeeper Mcadams’ right-hand post.

Neither side could get a grip on the game but, after 25 minutes, Morton’s Craig Mcguffie linked well at the edge of the area for on-loan Spurs striker Kazaiah Sterling to crack a low effort just wide of the mark.

Two minutes later Morton came close again after a lung-bursting run down the right by Aidan Nesbitt set up Sterling again, but Pars keeper Owain Fon Williams got down well at his near post to block his 15 yard angled drive with his legs.

Morton passed up another great opportunity in 34 minutes when Nesbitt swung over a free-kick from the right for defender Brian Mclean who outjumped the Pars rearguard at the back post, but failed to get his header on target.

One minute from the interval Morton continued their dominance and carved out another chance when Lewis Strapp burst in from the left, but his shot crashed into the side netting.

Dunfermline showed more intent after the break and in 55 minutes Kerr Mcinroy ran onto a ball 25 yards out, but his first-time piledriver was just wide.

Gus Macpherson’s side were quick to respond when Kyle Jacobs’ crossfield pass found Sean Mcginty, but his 20-yard shot dipped over. Ten minutes from time a Nesbitt corner from the right dropped for Mclean, but the Ton defender hooked his shot against a post.

Pars continued to defend in numbers and, in 83 minutes, Fon Wlliams did well to block Mcginty’s effort at his near post.

Fon Williams was in action seconds later to save Strapp’s low drive from the left.

Three minutes into extratime the Pars created their best effort of the match when Don Thomas crossed from the left for O’hara, but his header crashed back off a post.

Morton missed another glaring chance with the last kick of the first period when Strapp volleyed wide from 15 yards, sending the tie into a penalty shoot-out.

HERO KEEPER: Aidan Mcadams is mobbed by team-mates after shoot-out heroics.