MORTON were denied third place as an inspired performance from goalkeeper Stephen Robertson earned Airdrie United a vital point in their battle to beat the drop.
The home side had the bulk of the chances against the Diamonds, whose attacking ambitions were limited, but they were unable to find a way through.
Morton almost went ahead early when Ryan McGuffie's rasping 25-yard shot had Robertson at ful
l stretch to tip over. However, Airdrie responded and were nearly gifted a shock lead when Kevin Cuthbert flapped at Willie McLachlan's free-kick and Dom Shimmin cleared off the line.
Morton stepped up their efforts and twice in as many minutes Peter Weatherson's shoot-on-sight policy forced parried saves from Robertson.
The Airdrie keeper produced an even better save to tip the ball over when Stewart Greacen rose to power a Stevie Masterton free-kick goalwards.
Morton: Cuthbert, McManus, Shimmin (Walker 73), Paartalu (Masterton 51), Greacen, Jenkins, Finlayson, McGuffie, Weatherson, Grady (Russell 66), McAlister. Subs not used: Wake, Cannon. Booked: Greacen.
Airdrie Utd: Robertson, McLachlan, Nixon (Lovering 82), Smyth, Bobby Donnelly, McLaughlin, Darren Smith, McKenna, Di Giacomo, Baird, McDonald (Lynch 71). Subs not used: McDougall, McGuire, Hollis. Booked: Bobby Donnelly.
Referee: E Norris. Attendance: 1,865.
The full article contains 216 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
