Match Report | Morton 1-0 Queen of the South
Morton 1 – 0 Queen of the South
Buchanan (85)
Gregor Buchanan netted his second goal of the season, scoring a late header as Morton bounced back from Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Inverness with a massive 1-0 win over Queen of the South.
The Ton recorded their first win since beating league leaders Ross County in January and now see themselves back in the hunt for a Premiership play-off position.
Manager Jonatan Johansson reacted to Saturday’s defeat against the Highlanders by making five personnel changes and switching from a 4-3-3 system to a more conservative 3-5-2.
The modifications paid off as the Greenock men defended doggedly, looked to hit on the counter, and make their set-plays count.
Morton started the first half strong and Queen of the South goalkeeper Alan Martin was called into action on 14 minutes, pulling off a strong save in the bottom corner from a Reghan Tumilty shot.
The Greenock side were looking good and Tumilty went near to opening the scoring again on 33 minutes but his effort was blocked for a second time by Martin.
Both teams went in at the break level but Morton would be the more confident of the two sides and would be determined to get a goal in what would prove to be an important second half.
The visitors would start the second half in the driving seat and Stephen Dobbie had a terrific chance on 52 minutes, but impressive goalkeeper Robby McCrorie made sure to deny the experienced forward his 20th league goal this season, getting down well to stop the half volley going in the back of the net.
As time marched on it looked as though both sides would have to settle with a point, Michael Tidser could not convert his free-kick on 83 minutes and Stephen Dobbie would be denied a second time from Robby McCrorie.
The Ton’s efforts were eventually rewarded on 85 minutes as towering centre-half Gregor Buchanan headed home a Tidser corner on the right which would spark wild celebrations from players and supporters at full-time.
Morton (352)
23. McCrorie
2. Kilday 4. Buchanan 5. Waddell
14. Tumilty 32. R.Lyon 8. McAlister 12. Tidser 3. Iredale
44. Dallas 11. McHugh
Subs used: 7. Millar (for McAlister, 61), 10. Thomson (for Dallas, 61) and 20. Kiltie (for McHugh, 74)
Subs not used: 6. Telfer, 15. Dykes, 17. O’Connell, 1. Gaston (gk).
Booked: Waddell (65)
Queen of the South (352): Martin; Brownlie, Fordyce, Maguire, Mercer (Stirling, 80); Doyle, Wilson (Aird, 89), Jacobs, Marshall; Dykes; Dobbie (c).
Subs not used: McGrath and Leighfield (gk).
Booked: Fordyce (66) and Mercer (67)
Referee: David Lowe
Attendance: 1,324
⭐️ Star Man: Reece Lyon
image: Gary Bradley
