Morton happy to be in the play-offs

MORTON finally secured a championship play-off berth - despite dropping a point to bottom side Ayr United.

Lawrence Shankland and Craig Moore scored a goal apiece in the final 10 minutes of the first half, earning a valuable point for both sides.

But there was some concern for Jim Duffy as he watched his side toil for a share of the points.

However, it means that with defeats for Queen of the South and Dunfermline Morton can no longer be caught in fourth place with two games remaining.

Duffy, serving the first games of a twomatch ban following last month’s fracas at Easter Road, watched from the stand as side ground out a vital point.

Assistant manager Craig McPherson: “We’re delighted to get fourth place secured. It’s a fantastic achievement. You’ve got to look over the nine months of the season.

“The boys have been really consistent and have hit a wee bit of poorer form from our usual standard but everyone hits a spell like that.”

United boss Ian McCall was naturally delighted to secure a vital point in their bid to stave off the drop into the third tier.

He said: “A draw was a fair result and that point could be crucial.

“Itgaveusaliftwith CraigMoorescoringagreat goalandwewereonthe frontfootformostofthe secondhalf.Ourfinalball wasn’tquitegoodenough.

“We’re a point closer to St Mirren and we’ll see how Raith Rovers do against Hibs on Wednesday.”