DUNFERMLINE were knocked off top spot in League One as a Connor Pepper header earned Morton victory at Cappielow on Saturday.

The former Inverness midfielder's 76th minute goal was enough to earn a deserved three points for Jim Duffy's men after Ross Millen's 72nd minute penalty had cancelled out Declan McManus' first half opener.

But for wayward finishing and good goalkeeping from Ryan Scully the Pars would have faced a greater margin of defeat as they were thoroughly outplayed by their impressive hosts.

Despite netting the opening goal in last week's win over Stenhousemuir, Ryan Thomson was omitted from the starting line-up in favour of the returning Millen, who joined Gregor Buchanan and Lewis Martin in a three-man central defence.

Morton started on the front foot and former Par Andy Barrowman almost immediately caused concern as he drove a shot over the bar from Lee Kilday's lay-off.

Martin had to be alert to make a fine tackle on McManus from Rickie Lamie's cross as the 'Ton continued the pressure in and around the Pars goal, with the visitors' front two of Gozie Ugwu and Michael Moffat struggling to hold on to the ball.

A goal was coming for the home side and it duly arrived on 29 minutes. Ross Drummond failed to deal with a long ball played towards McManus, who pounced on the youngster's mistake and crashed home a superb half-volley from the right-hand edge of the box.

Worse was to follow for the Pars as half time approached as Ryan Williamson was forced off to be replaced by Thomson with an injury sustained in a challenge with Pepper, and although Moffat had sent a weak shot from 20 yards and a header both wide of goal, they had failed to test 'Ton goalkeeper Derek Gaston.

Another chance fell the home side's wide just after half time. McManus, who posed problems throughout the afternoon, broke down the left and sent an effort across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

Sean Crighton then powered a header wide from Joe McKee's free-kick as the home side continued to press for a second goal before Millen drove a shot at goal that was blocked.

In 64 minutes Buchanan had to be alert to divert a McManus effort out for a corner with his head before Tom O'Ware nodded over Scully's crossbar as Athletic struggled to deal with Morton's ariel threat.

But just eight minutes later, the Pars were thrown a lifeline out of nowhere. After Gaston had spilled Moffat's shot wide for a corner, Lamie pushed Buchanan in the back from Millen's delivery and referee Nick Walsh had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Millen took the kick and sent Gaston the wrong way to haul Dunfermline level.

That sparked the visitors into life and Moffat fired another shot at goal as they searched for the goal to claim an unlikely win.

But in their next attack, Morton regained the lead. Good play from Barrowman saw the striker centre the ball from the right for Pepper to rise highest and plant an unstoppable header beyond Scully.

The Pars goalkeeper then pulled off an excellent save from McManus as he raced in on goal and as Dunfermline searched for a leveller, Scully beat away a Barrowman effort to prevent a third goal as the Pars slipped to fourth in the table.

Morton: Gaston, Kilday, Crighton, O'Ware, Lamie, J.McCluskey (Hands 85), McKee, Pepper, Crawford (Miller 89), McManus, Barrowman.

Subs not used: Caraux, Russell, Scullion, S.McCluskey, McNeil.

Goals: McManus (29), Pepper (76).

Pars: Scully, Williamson (Thomson 37), Drummond, Martin, Buchanan, Geggan, Millen, Spence (Forbes 83), Moffat, Falkingham, Ugwu (Stirling 68).

Subs not used: Goodfellow, Byrne, Urquhart, Smith.

Goal: Millen (72, pen).