PARS 0
Morton 0

THE Pars missed the chance to put pressure on Morton after the teams shared a point in tough conditions.

Only the woodwork and desperate defending from the visitors kept Allan Johnston’s men out in a poor game at East End Park.

The first half came and went with little quality on show and the closest either side came to scoring was in the first minute.

Nicky Clark tested the gloves of Derek Gaston who tipped the striker’s drive to safety before Gary Harkins released an unmarked Frank Ross who lashed wide for the Ton.

The Pars supported needed no introduction to Ross’ teammate Gary Oliver who had netted in each of the last three meetings between the sides.

Callum Morris and Lee Ashcroft restricted him to one strike on goal on 25 minutes, but like Ross, he failed to challenge Lee Robinson.

At the other end, Declan McManus hit the side-netting in the last real action of a dire first half of football.

McManus was then denied by Michael Doyle who put his body on the line inside the box to deny the striker as he looked to score against his former employers.

The home fans were getting frustrated with grumbles of discontent spreading quickly after a promising move broke down after Nicky Clark’s heavy touch.

Shouts demanding a substitution were ringing through the ground as Kallum Higginbotham lashed a volley towards a goal.

While Gaston made the save, he could only parry it in the direction of McManus.

He couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and from four yards out the boll rolled back into the keeper’s grateful arms. A massive chance wasted.

Higginbotham was on a mission at this point and produced the only real moment of magic throughout the game on 74 minutes.

His outside of the foot pinpoint pass to an onrushing Tom Beadling was inch-perfect and thought he would have an assist to his name at full-time.

Beadling did everything right and smashed a shot past Gaston but found the bar in his way.

Johnston rung the changes with the introduction of Fraser Aird and Daniel Armstrong and it was the latter who nearly opened his account for the club since joining on loan from Wolves.

He raced clear at the right-hand side of the box and fired a fierce effort towards goal but the post denied the forward on 80 minutes.

It was the last meaningful chance of the game as once again the Pars were shut out and had to settle for a point before their trip to Glebe Park to face Brechin City on Tuesday.

PARS: Robinson, Williamson, Morris, Ashcroft, Martin, Higginbotham, Beadling, Vincent, Craigen (Aird 75), Clark (Armstrong 75), McManus.

Subs not used: Gill, M’Voto, Wedderburn, Tablot, Shiels.

Morton: Gaston, Doyle, Lamie, O’Ware, Iredale, Ross (Fraser 73), Murdoch, Harkins, Tidser, Tiffoney, Oliver.

Subs not used: Brennan, McHugh, Strapp, Russell, Baird, Gasparotto.

Booked: O’Ware (10),

Referee: Andrew Dallas
Attendance: 4613