COVE RANGERS 1
Mcintosh (83) MORTON 2 Kabia (41), Crawford (87)
Morton boss Dougie Imrie praised his players’ mentality as Robbie Crawford’s first goal of the season gave the Ton victory in Aberdeen.
He said: “Second half, we controlled the game and, although we lost a really poor goal, the commitment and the desire from the boys to go and grab that winner was clear to see.
And, despite an eight-game unbeaten run, Imrie’s not getting carried away, with the result cutting the gap with Ayr at the top to just one point.
“It’s taken us a few months to get the team gelled together, but I’m pleased with everyone’s performance today,” he added. “It could quickly change, this league is mental.
“We need to keep ourselves grounded and take it one game at a time. The aim for this season is still to finish eighth.”
Meanwhile, Cove boss Jim Mcintyre was frustrated by the fine margins that saw his side’s four-game unbeaten run come to an end. “That was a real sore one. We didn’t deserve to lose that today. I don’t think we did enough to win it but that’s where we need to be cuter and take our chances,” he said.
“Big talking point for me was the first goal was two yards offside and that was really disappointing to get beat by a poor decision and not a quality bit of play. The goal we conceded at the death was ridiculous, it is so frustrating. At the corner, the man at the edge of the box switched off and didn’t do his job.”
After a first half of few chances, the deadlock was broken by the Ton in the 40th minute by loanee from Livingston Jaze Kabia. Jai Quitongo led the attack and threaded the ball through to Robbie Muirhead, the striker couldn’t connect fully with the ball but his blocked effort found Kabia who fired home.
The equaliser came for Cove in the 83rd minute, a cross from Shay Logan from the left evaded everyone, bouncing off the frame of the goal for substitute Leighton Mcintosh, who was handily placed to head home.
When a share of the spoils looked on the cards, there was another twist in the tale when the visitors went back in front. An 86th minute corner was whipped in from the right and, when the ball broke back out to Crawford, he rattled it past the helpless Cove keeper.