CHAMPIONSHIP

MORTON 1 Forbes (18) RAITH ROVERS 0

A STUNNING first-half free-kick from Ross Forbes gave Morton only their second league win of the season and moved the League Cup semi-finalists up to sixth in the Championship.

The Greenock men were eager to improve on their dismal record of just three wins in their previous 21 league encounters with Raith.

And they made a dream start, taking the lead after just 18 minutes.

Ross Callachan tripped Jai Quitongo as he teased the Raith defence and Forbes, from 22 yards, curled a magnificent free-kick high into the net past Kevin Cuthbert.

Delighted Ton boss Jim Duffy said: “In terms of movement we were terrific and looked a threat.

“Over the balance we deserved to win. I was also delighted we kept a clean sheet.”

Raith, with just one win in their last five outings, almost went two down five minutes later when Gary Oliver darted in from the left and, from 18 yards, forced Cuthbert into a full-length diving save to scramble the ball round his near post.

Morton continued to dominate and, in 31 minutes, Oliver picked out Jamie McDonagh on the left with a raking pass, but the midfielder blasted wildly over from a great position 12 yards out.

Rovers, who had not lost in their last nine league matches against the Cappielow side, were limited to opportunities in the first half, but Scott Roberts should have done better than hook over from 16 yards after a cross from the right by Callachan.

Gary Locke’s side were dealt a massive break right on the interval when Jean-Yves M’Voto appeared to push the ball away with his hand inside the area as Quitongo flicked the ball forward.

Referee Craig Charleston waved away fierce Morton penalty claims, which would also have seen the Raith defender see red.

Locke tried to see the positives in defeat, saying: “A bit of quality won the game. We had a couple of penalty shouts but in terms of the performance they put in a great effort without reward.”