A drab draw, but Lichties shine on
MORTON 0 ARBROATH 0
Arbroath stayed top of the Championship after a drab draw at Cappielow yesterday.
Lichties boss Dick Campbell said: “I don’t think we played great and both goalkeepers hardly had a save to make. I thought the bookings were poor.
“It wasn’t worth any more than a point but we didn’t get beaten. Our goals-against record is as good as any team in Britain, so I’m very happy with that. We are down to 10 games and we’re top of the league and just have to get on with it.”
The Gayfield club, who have only suffered three defeats all season, and just once in their last 16 outings in the Championship, took a while to settle and took until 17 minutes to create their first chance. Cammy Blues of Morton tripped Craig
Wighton, 20 yards out, but Michael Mckenna’s curling free-kick was well saved by goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.
Campbell’s side had another opportunity after 22 minutes when striker Jack Hamilton headed over from a Ross Stewart cross from the right.
Arbroath continued to dominate the first period despite chances being at a premium. Campbell’s table toppers almost snatched a deserved lead in 35 minutes when Wighton latched onto a Jason Thomson cross from the right, but his flashing 18-yard volley dipped just over.
Morton took until 39 minutes to have their first attempt on goal when Gozie Ugwu laid the ball back into the path of Lewis Strapp, but his 18-yard effort was well clutched low down by goalkeeper Derek Gaston.
Morton, who have only suffered one league defeat in nine since Dougie Imrie took over the Cappielow reins, might have gone in front four minutes after the restart when Strapp whipped a cross over from the right that was knocked on by Ugwu, but Blues, coming in at the back post, headed into the side-netting.
The Greenock side threatened again in 69 minutes when Strapp’s corner from the right was met by Oisin Mcentee, but his head-flick flew over.
Liam Henderson was fortunate not to see red 13 minutes from time for a challenge on Morton goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, having been booked four minutes earlier.
Morton thought they had taken the lead 10 minutes from time when Ugwu’s header was cleared off the line and Wilson, following up, had his shot deflected over the bar by Thomas O’brien. The far-side assistant judged the ball had not fully crossed the line.
Imrie said: “Overall a draw was a fair result. We were playing a very good team who are flying high.
“First half we were poor, but I’m delighted with a point. I thought the back three were brilliant, but all the boys worked their socks off and on another day could have nicked it.
“We are now down to the business end of the season and March will be a massive month for this club.”