Match Report | Morton 2-2 Dundee
Morton 2-2 Dundee
McGuffie (41), Colville (69) – Cummings (65), Mullen (81)
Morton will be disappointed not to have taken all three points on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Dundee at Cappielow in the Scottish Championship.
Interim manager Anton McElhone named an unchanged side from the ‘Ton’s 1-1 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle the previous week.
Right from the very start you could see the confidence on display from the Greenock men as they had the first chance of the game on 6 minutes when Cameron Salkeld fizzed a shot towards goal that Jack Hamilton pushed clear for a corner kick.
Encouraging signs early on as it was clear the home side were fired up and Salkeld went close to opening the scoring again on 17 minutes. Craig McGuffie knocked the ball across the box to Salkeld who connected with the side of his foot but it curled passed the post and out for a goal kick.
There was no doubt that Jason Cummings would be the main threat up top for Dundee and he got his first sniff at goal on 38 minutes, firing an effort that Aidan McAdams saved comfortably.
The first half was very much end to end with both sides having their fair share of chances with either side being unable to break the deadlock.
That was until the ‘Ton went ahead, just a few minutes before half time on 41 minutes, in sublime fashion with a clear goal of the season candidate. A long ball up the park was headed down outside the box by Lewis Strapp to the feet of Craig McGuffie who, with his first touch, unleashed a wicked swerving drive that beat the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 1-0.
The Sinclair Street side would go in at half-time holding a narrow – and precious – one-goal lead after a tight 45 minutes thanks to McGuffie’s third goal of the campaign.
James McPake’s side would come out with much more determination in the second half as they tried to get level and they done exactly that on 65 minutes when a through ball found its way to Jason Cummings who held off Strapp to ran in on goal and blast the ball passed McAdams to equalise.
If anything, the goal would prove be a momentum booster for Morton as within three minutes they were back in front. A quick counter attack saw Kalvin Orsi played the ball out to McGuffie who hit a high cross unto the box which Luca Colville met with his head to beat Hamilton and give the ‘Ton the lead for the second time in the game.
Dundee’s decision to bring on Danny Mullen was proving to be the only route the visitors had to get back on level terms. The forward struck the post from close range on 72 minutes and captain Sean McGinty was called to clear the follow up shot off the line.
It was looking like another frustrating day for James McPake until his side found an opening to tie the game again on 81 minutes from a quickly taken set piece. A free-kick on the edge of the box left a 2 on 1 situation with Declan McDaid and Paul McMullan passing around Aidan Nesbitt before McMullan whipped a cross into the box that Danny Mullen headed in at the back post to make it 2-2. A very frustrating goal to lose and one that could have been avoided had the ‘Ton defence listened to the shouts from Nesbitt to assist with the extra man on the free-kick.
Greenock gaffer McElhone stressed his players frustration at full time and admitted that the game was there to be won.
Morton now turn their attention to a crucial league match against Ayr United at Cappielow on Saturday.
Morton (4-2-3-1)
McAdams
Ledger McLean McGinty Strapp
Blues Jacobs
McGuffie Nesbitt Colville
Salkeld
Subs used: 12. Kalvin Orsi (for Cameron Salkeld, 61), 30. Justin Johnson (for Craig McGuffie, 76), 17. Reece Lyon (for Luca Colville, 89)
Unused Subs: Fjørtoft, Muirhead, Oliver, Sterling
Booked: Salkeld (12), Ledger (84)
Dundee: Hamilton, Elliot, Ashcroft, Fontaine, Marshall, Robertson (Anderson, 60), Bryne (McDaid, 74), McGowan, McMullan, Sow (Mullen, 63), Cummings
Unused Subs: Kerr, Walcott, Legzdins, Afolabi
Booked: McMullan (27), Sow (46)
Referee: Craig Napier
Image: Gary Bradley
