Dumbarton0–3Morton

It was another disappointing afternoon for Dumbarton, as leaders Morton pulled off a comfortable victory at the Rock, running out 3-0 victors to maintain their two point lead at the top of the First Division table.

Two first half goals did the damage just after the half hour. The first was a strong shot from Michael Tidser, the second a header from Martin Hardie following a lengthy period of 'Ton possession.

Sons struggled to get back into the game in the second half but missed a couple of good chances before conceding a third goal from Peter MacDonald on 82 minutes, as he nodded home Colin McMenamin's cross.

Speaking immediately after the game, Dumbarton boss Ian Murray admitted that it has been a case of “top versus near bottom of the First Division” today.

“Given last week's performance, which was better than the result showed, this was disappointing,” he said.

As the game got underway, Sons looked in lively form, but then began to fall away as 'Ton got into the match. Possessional play was weak all round during the opening 12 minutes.

The first half chance went Dumbarton as Mark Gilhaney clipped in a ball which was won by Prunty, but then readily collected by the Morton 'keeper Derek Gaston.

At the other end, Archie Campbell worked his way in behind Sons' defence. His went wide as he slipped past the offside trap.

Then Kyle Wilkie charged forward for Morton, but again his 20-yard effort was off target.

Sons won a corner, which Steven McDougall floated into the box for Alan Lithgow to head just over the bar.

In what was almost a repeat event, Morton's Tom O'Ware nodded the ball straight at Dumbarton goalie Stephen Grindlay from their next corner.

When the visitors went 1-0 up, it was in spectacular fashion. On 32 minutes Michael Tidser smashed an unstoppable shot into the net from 25 yards.

The goal scorer was then booked for tugging back Sons' Chris Turner as he began to make a break.

This did not stop Morton's momentum, however. On 38 minutes they went two in front when Kevin Rutkiewicz crossed into the area and Martin Hardie headed home past Grindlay.

A split second before, an untimely slip by Andy Graham had allowed Hardie to rise to meet the incoming ball unchallenged.

Not long afterwards Dumbarton had a good chance to get back into the game before the break.

Garry Fleming, who was a good performer for Sons once more, played the ball to Steven McDougall who had manoeuvred into an unmarked position at the back post.

He appeared to have time for his shot, but his first-time effort did not threaten and was cleared by Gaston.

Dumbarton came out in the second half looking revived and much more purposeful. A good passing move on the edge of the area resulted in a tantalising McDougall cross, but no one could get on the end of it.

The homes side remained occasionally frail at the back. As Morton cut through all too easily, Campbell laid off a ball for MacDonald, who fired wide.

Then Peter Macdonald has another fine chance. His shot from a corner was clearly goal bound, but ricocheted off the line via one of his own teammates. It was a significant let-off for Dumbarton.

On 56 minutes Ian Murray made his first change, bringing on trialist Robbie Winters on for Bryan Prunty, who had sustained a knock.

Sons then gained a free kick just outside the D. Scott Agnew's well-crafted free kick went just wide of the post.

Dumbarton nearly got a goal back when Lithgow's header dropped to Winters. He spun round, before unleashing a shot that was cleared off the line.

On 64 minutes ex-Son Jordan Halsman came on for Martin Wilkie.

Stephen Grindlay did well to tip a deflected cross over the bar at the other end, before Sons made another substitution of their own, with Nicky Phinn replacing Chris Turner.

Dumbarton 'keeper Grindlay continued to be tested and to respond well as Morton flooded forward and the home side struggled to regain and maintain a hold on the ball.

With eight minutes to go and the visitors looking strong, a third goal followed. A deep ball reached Colin McMenamin at the back post. He side footed across goal for MacDonald to head comfortably home.

It never looked as if Dumbarton were going to be able to strike back as the clock ticked down, and when the final whistle blew they had been well beaten by a confident looking Greenock Morton side.