Scottish 2nd Division
Sat 31st Jan 04
Gayfield PArk, Arbroath

(Arbroath: McLean 5, Cusick 89(pen) ; Morton: Weatherson 40, Williams 84)

Morton will look on this game as two points dropped after controlling the majority of the match. Alex Williams looked to have sealed the victory for the visitors with a spectacular finish near the end but Arbroath were to provide a sucker punch at the close.

Morton faced the strong wind blowing towards their goal in the first half and Arbroath used this to their advantage. After missing the kick off due to the urgent need for a pie to warm me in the cold conditions I had hardly found my viewing position in the Gayfield terracing when the home side took the lead.New signing Duncan McLean scrambling home from Andy Dow's pass.

With many Morton fans perhaps hoping for a repeat of the 4-0 scoreline and domination like our last visit that early opener certainly came as a bit of a shock. In fact it were Arbroath who were the better team in the opening quarter of an hour or so , using the wind to their advantage. With Morton offering very little in return it took until the 25th minute for their first real chance on goal. John Maisano and Peter Weatherson linked well with Spoonsie seeing his shot saved by the 'keeper.

Morton were now pulling their socks up and working hard to get back into this game. The majority of possession swung to the visitors as they kept control and their passing and play enabled chances for the equaliser. Alex Williams saw his effort saved by the 'keeper before the rebound was fired wide by Mel Botiglieri. Morton were rewarded before the interval when Paul Walker found John Maisano after a mazy run, the Aussie's shot saved by the 'keeper for the corner. Maisano swung the corner in and Peter Weatherson slipped the attentions of his marker to flick the ball back goalwards. It was a very welcome goal for Peter who has been suffering from a slump in form and lack of goals recently. Overall his play yesterday vastly improved and showed signs that we well be seeing the player we witnessed in the early parts of the season.

With the half time whistle Morton fans would have been happy enough knowing that we are going in level after playing against the strong wind while expecting the Ton to use it to our advantage in the second half.

Morton started the second half dominating play as they pushed to take the lead. Peat and his fellow defenders were put under the cosh as Morton created many chances which included three consecutive corners. Morton continued the pressure throughout the half but all too often the ,by now, rather familiar trait of trying to walk the ball into the goal was being displayed and the killer instinct evaded any real attack. Arbroath had got numbers behind the ball and would have happily settled for the point while possibly exploiting a break to counter and nick all three.

Morton should have taken the lead after a John  Maisano free kick and handful of subsequent chances. Peat got his hand to Maisano's kick wide on the left only to palm it onto the feet of Weatherson. The strikers effort was blocked and fell to a Morton player once again, Alex Williams, whose effort similarly couldn't pass the defence. Again however it fell to a Morton player but Chris McLeod saw his effort saved.

Throughout the half it seemed that Morton's dominance would pay off but as the clock ticked down the visiting fans started to accept that maybe the breakthrough just wouldn't come. With only six minutes remaining Alex Williams controlled the ball (with his arm according to protesting Arbroath players) from a Chris Millar pass. The forward turned and fired an shot into the net past Peat.

Morton deservedly got the goal their play merited and it seemed that all three points would be coming back down the road to Greenock. Meanwhile Warren Hawke who was ready to be introduced to play before the goal in an effort to help in pursuit of the winner put his tracksuit back on and returned to his place on the bench.

With only minutes to go Morton's mood though was to be dampened when the home side were awarded a penalty. Greg Miller escaped Chris Millar and rushed towards the box only to find himself brought down inside by the latter. It was the correct decision by the ref and one which John Cusick and Arbroath took full advantage from as the ball was fired home.

At the final whistle Morton returned home feeling deflated when maximum points were in our hands and deservedly so, while our counterparts in the Arbroath end were celebrating coming back to clinch a point from the league leaders and best side in the division.

Arbroath: Peat, McMullen(46), King(56), Rennie, Cusick, Dow(86), Miller, McCulloch, Diack, McAulay, McLean. Subs: Browne(56), Swankie(86), Henslee(46), Farquharson, Woodcock.

Morton: Coyle, Gaughan, Bottiglieri, Macgregor, McLeod, Marco Maisano, Millar, John Maisano(78), Williams, Weatherson, Walker. Subs: Uotinen(78), Hawke, McAlistair, Henderson, McGurn.

Referee: A Freeland

Attendance:805