EAST FIFE 1

Smith (59)

MORTON 2

Mcginty (pen 90), Muirhead (112)

Darren Young was left frustrated by a late penalty decision which cost his side a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

With the Fifers looking on track to secure a 1-0 win, ref Alan Muir penalised the home side for a handball on defender Ross Dunlop.

There looked to be little Dunlop could do about it as the ball was hit at him, but Muir had no sympathy. Young says the call was wrong. He said: “I’ve watched it back and the referee says he made himself bigger.

“But once the referee watches it back himself he’ll soon realise he made a mistake which put us out of the cup.

“We contained them and did very well and I can’t praise the boys enough. “But decisions can cost games.” The home side had started the game well with Ross Davidson having an early sight of goal.

Shortly before the 15-minute mark they were unlucky not to take the lead. Smith slipped a sublime through-ball to Liam Watt whose shot was tipped on to the post by Aidan Mcadams.

Mcadams was the busier of the two keepers and was called on a couple of minutes later to block Kevin Smith’s effort from point blank range.

The Fifers opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark.

Liam Newton showed excellent skill to make his way past two defenders before squaring for Smith to net.

But Morton stayed in the game and continued to battle.

They were rewarded deep into injury time when ref Muir spotted a handball inside the Fife box. Sean Mcginty stepped up and restored parity.

Both sides had chances in extra time, Kaziah Sterling unlucky for Morton and Danny Swanson for the home side.

Morton managed to grab the crucial third goal of the game with Robbie Muirhead’s deflected shot looping over Long and into the net.

Ton boss Gus Macpherson was delighted with the impact made by sub Muirhead.

He said: “He’s had to be patient but has earned the club an opportunity in the next round of the cup.

“Robbie is a very good striker and has qualities. He comes in to his stronger side and slight deflection helps, but he merited it.”