Morton 0 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Pars boss James McPake was full of praise for the way his players stood up to the robust challenge posed by a physical Morton side as a Miles Welch-Hayes goal was enough to secure three important points on Saturday.

The home side opted to go for an aerial bombardment, with the intention of utilising the strength and height of returning striker George Oakley, but the Dunfermline defence, marshalled by captain Kyle Benedictus, stood firm, coping admirably with all that was thrown at them.

It was a much-deserved victory, with the Pars' passing and movement creating more openings than Morton's one-dimensional approach, although it did take an excellent save by Deniz Mehmet from a penalty in the last 10 minutes to secure the points.

The delighted Dunfermline manager said: "It was a really important three points for us, and the manner in which we got them as well.

“At no point were we bullied or did we get caught up in the other side of the game. We stuck to the plan and we played some decent enough stuff when we could."

He was pleased with the way his players coped with many aspects of a game that was punctuated by stoppages, not least when Morton were awarded a throw-in which generally involved waiting for Lewis Strapp to trot over from the opposite side of the pitch, select which ball he wanted to use and then wrap it in a towel to dry it off before launching a long throw at the box which was invariably cleared by a Pars defender.

And there were a few flashpoints as well. After quarter of a hour, Oakley seemed to go in late on Mehmet as Benedictus shielded the ball from the striker, which led to a fair bit of pushing and shoving amongst the players.

Chris Kane twice appeared to be taken out off the ball, Alan Power was booked for a cynical late challenge on Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Robbie Crawford saw yellow for taking out Chris Hamilton. Welch-Hayes also found his way into the referee's notebook in the first half.

However, the on-loan Livingston defender was to make a much more positive contribution 10 minutes into the second half. Chris Kane's quick thinking saw him take a short corner to Ritchie-Hosler and his cross found Welch-Hayes who did brilliantly to loop his header over the goalkeeper into the net.

Pars had chances to add to their lead. Kane hit the post with a header from another corner and then somehow the keeper kept out Chris Hamilton's attempt to turn the rebound into the net, and Alex Jakubiak and substitute Brad Holmes both made great runs into the box but couldn't find a finish.

In the end, it took a penalty save from Mehmet to ensure the Pars held on for the win.

The Dunfermline goalkeeper looked odds on to collect another high punt into the box until he appeared to be barged by Oakley. Referee Stephen McLean saw nothing amiss, however, and then pointed to the spot when the loose ball fell to Jai Quitongo who went down under a challenge by Ewan Otoo.

Robbie Muirhead stepped up to take the spot kick but Mehmet dived to his left and turned the ex-Dunfermline strike's effort on to the post before the danger was cleared.

Speaking about the penalty incident, McPake said: "I think it should have been a free kick on Den. It certainly looked like that from where I was standing.

"Maybe it’s the way Morton play you always feel that there could be a free kick. They just make you defend that much that you are hoping that it’s a free kick. It certainly looked a free kick from where I was standing.

"It was a big save. When there’s a penalty against us and we’ve got big Den in goals you always feel like he’s got that big save in him. Today it proved vital."

He also made mention of Welch-Hayes, who limped off late on after taking a knock.

"He’s been great since he came in, and he’ll be okay as well," said the boss, who described it as an "impact injury".

"I’m delighted for him getting his goal. Since he came into the club on loan he’s taken to the group and fitted in really well. He’s a good player and a good defender.”