Morton 2 - 2 Livingston

Morton 2 - Millar (7), Russell (38)
Livingston 2 - Dorrans (10), Kennedy (42)

Att - 2,132

Morton have David McGurn to thank for this draw after Livingston did everything but score in a terrible second half for the Cappielow side.

Morton started brightly and took the lead when on form midfielder Chris Millar burst onto a Peter Weatherson pass, pushed the ball round the outside of a defender and placed the ball across Stewart in the Livi goal.

The equaliser was quick in coming, 3 minutes later to be precise. A Livingston free kick out on the left deflected off the Morton wall and broke to Scotland U-21 internationalist Graham Dorrans ( who you might remember terrorised our team in a match at Firhill while on loan at Partick Thistle a couple of years back) who struck a sweet effort from about 25 yards that flew past McGurn. Some might be critical of the keeper here but I think that the power of the shot and the fact McGurn probably didn't see it until it was too late meant that he couldn't really be faulted.

Morton regained the lead in the 38th minute when Jim McAlister jinked past a couple of men and knocked the ball inside to Iain Russell who used the outside of his right boot to send a dipping shot over Stewart and in off the back post. At the time I thought Russell had meant it and after seeing the replay I'm more convinced that he did.

As was the case with the first goal Livingston's equaliser followed soon after - although this time we actually managed to hold out for an extra minute. Absolutely shocking defending allowed livingston to sweep the ball from left to right and then slip a diagonal pass into the six yard box for the inexplicably unmarked Jason Kennedy to ghost in and round McGurn with ease.

This shocking defending seemed to occur throught with Stewart Greacen being the main culprit time and time again. There was one particularly shocking example I noticed from a corner in the second half. Greacen lined up to mark his opponents who stood a few yards off him to get a run at the ball. The Morton captain then proceeded to let the man run right off him into the back post area where - luckily for us - he knocked the ball wide when it looked easier to score. Cue Stewart Greacen' sheepish hunched shoulders and raised hand conceeding that it was his fault. Something that is a bit too much of a regular sight for my liking. For me, a centre-back should be a priority in the January transfer window.

Livingston absolutely dominated the second half. They struck the crossbar twice and forced David McGurn to pull off a couple of wonder saves to get us a draw. One of those saves is probably the best save I've ever seen at Cappielow (pictured). An unswinging cross was whipped in from the right and Kennedy (I think) looped a header towards the back post for what looked like a certain goal - in fact, on the http://www.gmfc.net/ highlights a fan in the stand can be heard saying 'There it is' - only for McGurn to acrobatically fly into the top corner and then use his fingertips to flick the ball wide.

On the second half showing we have to be happy to walk away with a point but at the same time be unhappy about the performance of the team. I have grave concerns about the defence. He seems like a nice, genuine guy but for me Greacen wont do. We need a new centre-half (and Captain) a.s.a.p. Also it's about time Peter Weatherson got a grip of his effort and fitness. He has loads of talent but too often he can't be bothered and just trudges about aimlessly. I'd say this is as much down to lazyness as it is poor fitness. It's time Peter got his finger out shaped up and started putting in the sort of effort that was evident down at Palmerston when it was obvious he was motivated playing against a former team. It should be like that every week Peter.

Morton (4-4-2):

1. McGurn - 9
2. Shields - 6
3. Walker- 6 (15. Gardyne - 85 mins)
4. Harding - 6
5. Greacen - 4
6. McLaughlin - 6
7. Millar - 7
8. Finlayson - 5
9. Russell - 8 (14. Templeman - 65 mins)
10. Weatherson - 5 (16. Graham - 89 mins)
11. McAlister - 6

Subs Not Used:

12. McAnespie
20. Robinson

Booked: Templeman

Livingston: Stewart, MacKay, McCaffrey, Raliukonis, James, Dorrans, Makel, Kennedy, Jacobs (Snodgrass 73), McMenamin, Pesir (Craig 90). Subs Not Used: Fox, Weir, Liberda.

My man of the match: David McGurn

Sponsor's man of the match: Iain Russell

Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)














GMFC match highlights: http://www.gmfc.net/webcast-video-clips.asp

BBC Match report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7120215.stm

Tele' match report: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=17530

Tele' match reaction: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=2&id=17531