Match Report | Dundee 1-0 Morton

Dundee 1-0 Morton

Afolabi (4)

On their first ‘away-day’ of the Scottish Championship, Morton and David Hopkin will consider themselves unlucky to be leaving the city of Dundee without, at least, a point to their name after a spirited performance against a side considered to be among the front-runners for the title and/or promotion at the end of the campaign.

The Manager set out an attacking formation from the start with Kalvin Orsi and Cameron Salkeld offering pace and power up front. The ‘Ton were dealt an early blow after just four minutes when a Marshall cross into a crowded box was volleyed into the net by the on-loan Jonathan Afolabi to make it 1-0 to the home side.

After that early set-back, Morton came more into the game with Cameron Blues having a couple of efforts on goal, but ‘keeper Ferrie saved low down on both occasions. As the game moved towards the break, the visitors were looking, without question, the stronger side.

Kicking down the slope in the second half, the ‘Ton survived another early scare when Charlie Adam burst into the box but a magnificent Markus Fjortoft challenge cleared the danger. A minute later at the other end, the big Norwegian had a towering header cleared off the line.

On the hour, substitute Ross Maciver made a wonderful run down the right and his cross to the back post was met by Muirhead, but he couldn’t keep the shot down and the ball flew over the bar.

As the visitors took the game to Dundee, Fjortoft had another great header drop agonisingly wide. Dundee were frantically holding on but then Morton were dealt a huge blow when Robbie Muirhead was sent off after receiving two yellows in quick succession for dissent on 73 minutes. David Hopkin changed the formation again in pursuit of an equaliser, throwing Sean McGinty up front as the home side tried to see out the match and cling onto the points.

The ploy almost paid off in the final minute as Nesbitt jinked past two defenders, but his shot was saved. A great fighting performance from the ‘Ton but in the end the ‘Dee held on for victory. However, David Hopkin’s men can hold their heads up high and take a lot of positives from a solid performance. As the Manager said afterwards, “I’m disappointed we didn’t get a point, anybody who watched the game will probably agree we deserved three.

Morton (3-5-2)
McAdams
Fjørtoft McLean McGinty
Ledger Jacobs McAlister (c) Blues Muirhead
Salkeld Orsi

Subs used: 10. Aidan Nesbitt (for Kyle Jacobs, 57), 23. Ross Maciver (for Kalvin Orsi, 58), 11. Gary Oliver (for Cameron Salkeld, 72)

Unused Subs: McGuffie, Strapp, Colville, Omar

Booked: Sean McGinty (61), Robbie Muirhead (73)

Red Card: Robbie Muirhead (73)

Dundee: Ferrie, Kerr, McGhee, Dorrans, Byrne, Mullen (McGowan, 76), McDaid, Ashcroft, Afolabi, Marshall, Adam (Elliot, 70)

Unused Subs: Hamilton, Robertson, Anderson, Blacklock, Strachan

Booked: Danny Mullen (35), Shaun Byrne (67)

Referee: Gavin Ross

Image: Gary Bradley