DUNFERMLINE'S fading promotion hopes suffered another blow on Saturday as they slumped to a two-goal defeat at Morton.

Two second half strikes from Ross Caldwell and Peter MacDonald condemned John Potter's men to a seventh game without a win to leave them 10 points adrift of table toppers Stranraer.

The Pars remain four points adrift of Brechin City - occupants of the final play-off spot and who have a game in hand - as concern grows over where Athletic's next win is going to come from.

For long spells of this televised clash, the visitors were more than a match for their hosts and had the better chances in a tight opening period.

As early as the third minute they caused concern in the home rearguard as Michael Moffat, rewarded with a starting berth after his equaliser rescued a draw against Airdrieonians, charged down goalkeeper Derek Gaston's clearance but he was unfortunate to see the ball end wide of target.

The Pars striker had an even better opportunity to open the scoring some 10 minutes later as he embarked on a surging run that took him clear of Tom O'Ware but he sent his effort wide of the far post.

Dunfermline continued to press and Andy Geggan was next to have a go but he sent Moffat's cut back wide of the post during a period of real promise from Potter's team.

They continued to create the better chances and on the stroke of half-time, Geggan came close with a header.

Stefan McCluskey however served notice of 'Ton's intent minutes after the break with a long-range effort that Ryan Scully held at the second attempt before the hosts took the lead on 61 minutes.

From a Pars corner, Morton quickly broke upfield and Caldwell latched on to MacDonald's pass to rifle the ball beyond Scully and into the net.

Potter responded by bringing Faissal El Bakhtaoui on for Andy Stirling and although Andy Barrowman saw a header kept out brilliantly by Gaston, Morton had strong appeals for a penalty turned down as MacDonald tumbled under Scully's challenge but he saw yellow for diving.

The former Dundee man however had the final say as he wrapped up the points with nine minutes left. Once more the Pars were caught on the break, as former Athletic midfielder Ross Forbes led the breakaway to release Caldwell. He found MacDonald inside the Pars box and the ball slid under Scully's body and in to clinch three vital points for the Greenock men and leave the Pars with a mountain to climb in the promotion race.

Pars: Scully, Millen, Whittle, Martin, McAusland, Geggan, Falkingham, Byrne, Barrowman, Moffat, Stirling.

Subs: Thomson, Paterson, Smith, El Bakhtaoui, Spence, Urquhart, Goodfellow.