MacDonald leads ‘never-say-die’ Morton from the front

PETER MacDONALD earned Morton a point on Saturday, then insisted his side’s refusal to accept defeat in their 1-1 draw with Falkirk will serve them well as they get used to life back in Scotland’s second tier. The Greenock outfit unfurled the League One Championship flag but celebrations were cut short when Paul Watson put Falkirk ahead on 19 minutes. However, MacDonald (right) pounced with the leveller on the hour and the Cappielow side were good value for their point though, they enjoyed some fortune when John Baird missed two late chances. ‘We showed last season that we have a never-say-die attitude and it looks like we are carrying it on this season,’ said MacDonald. ‘The boys worked hard to get something and it was important to do that on a big day for the fans. ‘I watched the Scottish Cup Final and I know that Inverness Caley Thistle are a good side from playing against them, but Falkirk were better than them on that day. I thought we matched them well and had them a bit rattled in the second half when we were a bit more direct. ‘I felt that we were the better side but they were dangerous on the counter-attack. ‘We earned our point and that gets our season going. Our attitude will need to continue as never-say-die.’ There are lessons for Jim Duffy’s side to learn as the striker added: ‘We gave away a silly goal as we did not defend a corner properly. You get punished for that at this level whereas we may have got away with that in League One.’ That goal came when Craig Sibbald curled over a corner and Aaron Muirhead had time to flick the ball on for Watson to guide it behind Derek Gaston from six yards. Morton had threatened an equaliser several times before it came when Ross Forbes’ precise delivery from a corner gave MacDonald the opportunity to glance a header home. Baird was not so accurate for Falkirk, however, the striker sending a shot over the bar with only Gaston to beat before, with 11 minutes to go, he turned the ball wide of an open goal from just two yards. Falkirk manager Peter Houston said: ‘I am disappointed that John never scored but I am pleased that he was in the position to score. ‘We knew it would be a difficult game with the style of play that Morton adapt as they put a lot of balls on top of you. ‘I would not grudge Morton the draw but I feel it was a couple of points dropped.’ Elsewhere on Saturday, Queen of the South enjoyed an emphatic start to their campaign with a 3-1 home win over Alloa. An opener from Derek Lyle, allied to Iain Russell’s double, had Queens cruising before half-time. Alloa’s consolation came from Iain Flannigan. Raith Rovers were also convincing winners against Livingston. who they saw off 3-0, thanks to goals from Mark Stewart, Ryan McCord and Mitch Megginson.