STRIKE IS RED HOT
Lewis shines in fierce battle against Lichties
MORTON stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions after securing a point against a battling Arbroath side.
It was Lewis McGrattan who produced a moment of individual magic to put the visitors in front in the last of the first-half action.
The youth academy graduate returned to the starting line-up after he dropped to the bench for the first time since October 1 for the Scottish Cup tie against Queen of the South.
And the 21-year-old showed exactly why he has been a mainstay in the side during Ton’s unbeaten run with a man-of-the-match performance and fabulous goal.
David Gold pegged Dougie Imrie’s side back at the start of the second half — but the Morton boss was furious that they were denied a clear handball penalty call in the second period.
The result sees Morton slip to fourth in the Championship table, three points behind leaders Ayr United after their win over Raith Rovers, with the Ton’s attention now turning to a trip to face the latter in the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final this weekend.
The Greenock side were looking to make a fast start at Gayfield and some clever play down the left involving Lewis Strapp and Robbie Crawford won an early corner kick. After the initial delivery was half cleared, Crawford sent the ball back in and it was met by a glancing header from defender Jack Baird, but it sailed past the far post.
Dick Campbell’s men had their first opportunity just three minutes in when Bobby Linn floated in a delivery which was headed away by Efe Ambrose, the arriving Scott Allan fired an effort towards goal on his left side, but it was kept out by a low save from Brian Schwake before full-back Strapp was on hand to clear any danger.
On 12 minutes Arbroath went close to an opener via a header from captain Thomas O’Brien, who rose highest to meet an Allan corner. The defender’s effort was heading towards goal but Ambrose did well to place himself in the right position to header it over the top of his own bar and away to safety.
Imrie’s men were starting to look a threat in the final third, with Robbie Muirhead and Jai Quitongo combining to cause the Red Lichties’ backline problems. The ex-Queen’s Park man’s burst of pace was a real threat down the right side.
In the 16th minute Strapp fired a fierce strike which could have ended up anywhere, but the deflection sent it over the top of the Arbroath crossbar.
Composed defensive play by Grant Gillespie stopped a real opportunity for the hosts when Allan glided into the area, rode a challenge and approached a dangerous area inside the box, however, the Morton skipper came across to take it off the toes of the former Celtic man much to the visitors’ relief.
Morton went ever so close to the opening goal around the 25 minute mark. Great foot work on the right side by Liam Grimshaw allowed him to release Quitongo in behind, the frontman cut the ball back and found Strapp who fired an effort back across goal, but it was blocked well by Ricky Little and flew to safety.
Muirhead tried to come up with some magic as he collected a high ball inside from Strapp on his chest, bringing it down he struck it on the half-volley on his favoured left but it rolled into the hands of Derek Gaston.
McGrattan almost found himself in on goal but for some good covering work from Marcel Oakley. The Ton midfielder received possession in the final third from Quitongo, and as he looked to burst through, the Birmingham loanee did well to place himself well to allow the ‘keeper to come collect the ball.
Dylan Tait fired in a great ball looking for the arriving runners, all the delivery was needing was a touch to divert it beyond Schwake, with two Arbroath players inside the area, but neither could reach it as the American gathered. McGrattan made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time with his second goal of the season.
He carried the ball over 40 yards, with direct running he rode a couple of challenges before slamming a venomous shot home on his left side beyond Gaston.
The hosts came straight out the traps at halftime and were back on level terms almost immediately. Substitute Daniel Fosu did well to shrug off the challenge from Baird, getting inside the box he cut it back to find the arriving Gold, who fired a shot high and beyond Schwake.
Morton looked to go back in front straight away when Cameron Blues did well to control the ball in the final third and play in Strapp, who was sprinting down the outside and found Grimshaw, but the former Motherwell man saw his left-footed effort sail over the top.
The Ton looked to be denied a clear penalty in the 60th minute. Baird’s header seemed to be blocked by Little’s arm to stop the ball crossing the line, but referee David Dickinson, with
his view obstructed, decided against pointing to the spot and waved play on.
Gold almost got his second of the afternoon when he lobbed the ball over the onrushing Schwake, but his effort lacked the required power as Baird was able to cover and had time to take a touch and clear to safety.
Muirhead broke away at the other end with the game starting to open up after a great interception from Ambrose saw a changeover in play. Cutting in on his left, the ex-Kilmarnock man’s strike was blocked before Quitongo scuffed his right-footed strike wide on the rebound.
Substitute Forent Hoti struck an effort that flew over the bar, with Campbell’s side looking like a more attacking threat in the second half as they went in search for the next goal.
Morton thought they had retaken the lead only to be denied by the assistant referee’s flag. Muirhead’s delivery to the far post was won by
Strapp, knocking it down to Crawford he tapped the ball home on his right, but his celebration was cut short as he was denied a second goal in as many away games by the offside flag.
Michael McKenna put in a dangerous cross to the back post which was met by Fosu, who was causing problems in the Ton backline, but his effort went just wide of Schwake’s right-hand post.
McKenna looked to tee up Deri Corfe, who had arrived at the middle of the box, but his flicked header went wide of the far post and behind.
Moments later Corfe should have done better with a looping half-volley which flew over the bar from inside the area leaving Schwake untroubled.
Despite Morton losing ground at the top of the table, they can take plenty of positives after emerging from a tough battle against the Red Lichties with a point.