Motherwell show steel and skill as Ton are over-run

Motherwell’s Louis Moult is delighted to be on the scoresheet. Carson’s clearance was missed by Michael Doyle.

That allowed Craig Tanner to get in a shot, which was turned behind by Derek Gaston.

However, the visiting goalkeeper was left helpless when Charles Dunne, making his debut for the Steelmen, powered home a header from Gael Bigirimana’s knock- on at the resulting corner.

Morton still hadn’t managed to trouble Carson when Chris Cadden produced a clinical finish to beat Gaston low to his left from 15 yards for Well’s second.

Bigirama was harshly shown a yellow card for a meaty challenge on Andy Murdoch but Well were in complete control.

Any chance of a revival by the visitors evaporated in the 38th minute when veteran midfielder Gary Harkins was needlessly ordered off for a studs- up challenge on Tanner.

Gaston then dived to his right to deny Bowman on the stroke of half-time and made a fine double save from Cadden after the restart as Motherwell ramped up the pressure.

It was only a matter of time before Mo t h e r w e l l emphasised their superiority, though, and, midway through the second half, Richard Tait lashed home the rebound after Carl McHugh’s shot from 20 yards had struck the crossbar.

Substitute Louis Moult added a fourth when he curled home a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, leaving the home fans singing in the rain.

“Even in the moder n game, I don’t think that’s a red card,” said Morton manager Jim Duffy after the game in reference to Gary Harkins’ red card.

“The ball bounced high but there was no aggression from Gary – he was just trying to win it.”

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