Pars 2 Morton 1

CENTURION Michael Moffat was Dunfermline’s hero as a gladiatorial performance saw them edge a hard-fought game with Morton this afternoon.

The Pars striker netted a first half double in his 100th game for the club and although Aidan Nesbitt pulled one back just before half-time, Athletic held on for a vital victory.

It takes them up to seventh in the table, leaping above Dumbarton and Ayr United after they both lost, and they are now just three points behind next weekend’s opponents Queen of the South.

Dunfermline made two changes to the team that drew with Ayr in frustrating fashion last Saturday.

As a result of his sending off, Lewis Martin was banned and replaced at right back by Conner Duthie, while Moffat was preferred ahead of Farid El Alagui to partner Nicky Clark in attack.

There was further good news for Allan Johnston in terms of personnel as Ryan Williamson and Gavin Reilly were named on the bench following spells out through injury.

The game had a dramatic start when, in just the fifth minute, Callum Fordyce brought down in the area but Thomas O’Ware’s spot-kick was saved low to his right by Sean Murdoch.

The Pars were indebted to their keeper a minute later to block from Jai Quitongo but, after John Herron had an effort well saved by Derek Gaston, it was they who struck first.

It was a howler from Morton defender Jamie McDonagh; his header back towards Gaston was woefully short, allowing Moffat to intercept, take a touch before coolly lobbing it over the keeper for his second of the campaign.

Nicky Clark howled for a penalty in the 17th minute as the play raged from end-to-end, but in the 23rd minute, the hosts doubled their advantage.

Moffat’s ton of games in a Dunfermline shirt got even better against the ‘Ton when he doubled his tally for the afternoon midway through the opening period.

It was another calamity in the visiting defence as Mark Russell’s weak back pass towards Gaston was seized upon by the Pars number nine, who drew the goalkeeper before dispatching a cool finish into the far corner.

Dunfermline were in full flow and after Paul McMullan had strong claims for a penalty turned down after his shot from close range smacked the hand of Andy Murdoch, Gaston performed heroics to keep out Moffat’s header from Ashcroft’s knock-back as the Pars searched for a third goal.

There was a delay in proceedings when Quitongo stayed grounded after a fair challenge from Murdoch, but the Morton livewire was unable to continue and was replaced by Kudus Oyenuga.

Athletic continued to threaten, with Moffat in particular standing out, but just two minutes before the break, the visitors pulled themselves back into contention.

Johnston will not have been too happy with the ease in which McDonagh was able to cut into the box from the right to shoot and, although Murdoch blocked well, the ball broke for Nesbitt to stroke home.

Herron, who looked to have taken a knock in a first half challenge, failed to reappear after the break and was replaced by Nat Wedderburn.

Almost immediately, Jason Talbot was required to clear off the line before Gaston spilled a McMullan drive at the other end, but was able to quickly grab the ball as it threatened briefly to trickle over the line.

There was concern in the 51st minute when Gary Oliver’s pass split the Pars defence and sent Oyenuga in on goal but Murdoch again came to the rescue when perhaps the Morton striker should have done better.

Another Morton penalty appeal was waved away as the Athletic defence continued to be tested, and Williamson was introduced for Duthie just before the hour mark.

In the 74th minute, McDonagh’s vicious cross had to be watched and held well by Murdoch at his near post but just a minute later, he went in the book for playing the ball but only after going through the back of Clark.

From the resultant free-kick, Higginbotham sent it towards goal but was off-target before Clark forced an excellent stop from Gaston after a fine counter involving Higginbotham, Moffat and Rhys McCabe.

El Alagui replaced Clark as the minutes ticked down but former Par Ross Forbes served notice of the threat still carried by Morton with a shot from range that, thankfully, drifted wide.

That however was that from Morton as the Pars successfully ran down the clock to notch a vital victory.

Pars: Murdoch, Duthie, Talbot, Ashcroft, Fordyce, McMullan, Herron, McCabe, Higginbotham, Moffat, Clark.

Subs: Williamson, Wedderburn, Paton, Cardle, Reilly, El Alagui, Hutton.

Morton: Gaston, O'Ware, Gunning, Oliver, Forbes, Lindsay, Nesbitt, Russell, McDonagh, Murdoch, Quitongo.

Subs: Kilday, Lamie, Doyle, Oyenuga, Tidser, McAleer, McNeill.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.

Attendance: 3,101.