MORTON suffered their first away defeat of the season as Dumbarton left the league leaders with an almighty Ne'erday hangover at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium.

So far this season writer's cramp has been a common occurrence among scribblers who strive desperately to keep up with Morton's slick play for a whole 90 minutes. And if it were possible for a team to commit footballing murder then Morton would now be serving several life sentences for the thrashings they have handed to most teams this season. Sadly none of this is true of their performance against Dumbarton.

The Sons dictated the play from the first whistle and, after grabbing an early goal through Iain Russell, the onus was always going to be on Morton to steal the initiative and become orchestrators. This simply did not happen. Ton persisted with their usual 3-5-2 formation, channelling their attacks down the centre of the park, but Dumbarton's defence was in inspired form, man-of-the-match Jim McKinstry leading by example.

Morton's second problem was the Sons' 4-4-2 formation. Every time Dumbarton's defence thwarted a Greenock attack the ball was simply played to one of two wingers who effortlessly proceeded up the field in true counter-attack style. Even Ton's Australian playmaker John Maisano seemed to be missing his conductor's stick as his team-mates ran out of ideas.

Morton boss John McCormack was far from impressed with his team's effort after the game. He said: "We didn't start well and when we lost the first goal after just five minutes it put them in the driving seat. We failed to live up to the standard we have set ourselves this season. My players know they've let everyone down and they must take responsibility for the decisions they made on the field."

Opposite number Brian Fairley could not hide his joy as his team stretched their unbeaten run to six games. He said: "What a result — and we could have won by a bigger margin. Everyone played well, though our strikers could have done better with their chances."

The home side got off to a flying start with a goal after just five minutes. The Morton defence was ripped apart by full back Craig Brittain who seized on an error by Scott Bannerman in midfield. Brittain's well-placed cross was missed by Ton defender Robbie Henderson, in for the injured Stewart Greacen, and was met first time by Russell who drove it beyond Craig Coyle.

Peter Weatherson was then booked a minute later for kicking the ball at Brittain after the home side were awarded a throw-in. But he was aiming to make amends just moments later with a fierce drive that 'keeper Stephen Grindlay did well to hold.

As the Sons continued to dominate Ton were becoming more visibly frustrated at their inability to take the game by the scruff of the neck. In 15 minutes Bannerman found his way into referee Colin Hardie's book, after he flattened midfielder John Dillon, who had to be stretchered off and replaced by Chris Boyle.

In 26 minutes Hardie's notebook was open again as Sons midfielder Mark Bradley was booked for retaliating to a David McGregor challenge. He was swiftly followed by team-mate Barry Donald, who was cautioned for a foul on John Maisano.

As half-time loomed Morton offered a rare glimpse of what they are usually capable of. Alex Williams fed the ball to Paul Walker who found John Maisano on the left edge of the box. Maisano's drive was low and powerful but just wide of the left hand post.

After the break Morton's Chris Millar replaced Bannerman who looked to be heading for a red card late in the first half, following several warnings from the ref.

Dumbarton showed no sign of relinquishing their lead as Derek Collins twice came to the league leaders’ rescue, blocking shots from Russell and Donald before Boyle forced a save from Coyle.

Ton almost salvaged an equaliser in 52 minutes when Marco Maisano sent his brother's lay-off crashing off the crossbar, the ricochet being gratefully gathered by Grindlay.

Sons' on-loan Dundee striker Andy Rodgers was guilty of letting Ton off the hook minutes later when he blazed over a gilt-edged chance, and he was joined by Steven Bonar in 62 minutes who fired wide from eight yards with only Coyle to beat.

In 72 minutes Dumbarton substitute Steven Renicks crossed low into the box from the left, beating Henderson and finding Rodgers. Just as goal number two looked a foregone conclusion, the 20-year-old loanee sliced horribly wide.

Morton had limited opportunities to carve an opening as McKinstry and co were unbreakable at Dumbarton's rear. Walker did manage to test Grindlay late on but the 'keeper blocked the winger's effort with his legs.

The final whistle was greeted with cheers from the home support and bewilderment from the away. It's Partick in the Scottish Cup next and, if anything is to be taken from that game, a marked improvement on this performance is vital.

Dumbarton: Grindlay, McEwan, Brittain, McKinstry, Collins, Donald, Bonar, Bradley, Rodgers, Russell (Mallan 79), Dillon (Boyle 15 (Renicks 79). Subs not used — Duffy, White.

Morton: Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, McGregor, Henderson, M. Maisano, Bannerman (Millar 46), J. Maisano (Adam 75), Williams (McAllister 69), Weatherson, Walker. Subs not used — Gaughan, McGurn.
Referee: C. Hardie.
Att: 1,861.

This story appeared in the Greenock Telegraph on Mon, 05 Jan, 2004