Pars knocked out of Scottish Cup by late winner

THE Pars were dealt a late sucker punch as league rivals Morton knocked the hosts out of the Scottish Cup.

After Declan McManus responded to Gary Oliver’s opener, Jai Quitongo emerged from the bench to net the winner with five minutes remaining.

Allan Johnston named an unchanged side as they looked to seal passage into the fifth round of the competition.

It was the visitors who were first to threaten after just a minute when playmaker Gary Harkins blasted over the bar after the ball broke to him on the edge of the area.

Declan McManus was on the hunt to score against his former employers and almost did just that when he curled a strike towards goal. Derek Gaston had to be alert to parry the effort away from danger.

McManus’ strike partner came close soon after. Nicky Clark’s deft header from a Joe Cardle delivery from the right had the Morton stopper rooted to the spot, but his attempt went just wide.

The Ton responded and lay siege to the Athletic net with a flurry of attacks in a five-minute spell midway through the half.

Impressive left-back Jack Iredale fired a low drive across the six-yard box which evaded the onrushing Scott Tiffoney and the relieved Lee Robinson in the Pars goal.

Iredale was proving to be a nightmare and once again his crossing caused panic on 22 minutes.

Gary Oliver made a smart run to the front stick and his flick-on bounced back off the near post.

He would not be denied a minute later.

Despite protests from the hosts for offside, another piece of clever movement found Oliver in acres of space on the right of the Pars’ box. He fired across the face of goal and past the outstretched Robinson to give Jim Duffy's men the lead.

Joe Cardle should have had the Pars level with the goal gaping on 30 minutes. He missed a glorious chance after fine work from the rampaging Ryan Williamson. His cut-back found Cardle who saw his shot cleared away from the net by a Morton defender.

It was the last meaningful chance of the half.

Half-time: Pars 0 Morton 1

As has often been the case this season, it was McManus to the rescue to peg Morton back shortly before the hour mark.

The visitors gave him too much time and room on the edge of the box and he graciously took the opportunity afforded to him, firing past the Morton keeper.

Gaston will be disappointed to watch the goal back as he ought to have done better with the strike.

However, his save from Clark moments later was one for the highlight reel.

Only the Pars will know how they didn’t go in front from a corner.

A free header from Clark was stunningly kept out from point-blank range by Gaston and in the resulting stramash, a series of shots were blocked by desperate Morton bodies.

Both sides rung the changes in a bid to edge in front with the tired, quiet duo of Dean Shiels and Joe Cardle making way for Kallum Higginbotham and Allan Johnston’s second January transfer window recruit.

A day after signing on the dotted line, new midfielder James Craigen made his East End Park bow on 65 minutes.

Only a goal-line clearance stopped Morton taking the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock. Iredale’s free header at the near post was cleared away.

Scoring from set-pieces hasn’t been a trademark of the Pars this season.

However, Jean-Yves M’Voto’s bullet header had to be pushed away by Gaston on 78 minutes.

With a replay in Greenock looming, substitute Jai Quitongo curled home a superb finish from outside the box on 85 minutes much to the ire of the Pars support who felt a foul had taken place on Nat Wedderburn in the build-up.

Morton ran out the remainder of the game with ease, knocking Athletic out of the cup with two fine strikes.

Full-time: Pars 1 Morton 2

PARS: Robinson, Williamson, M’voto, Morris, Talbot, Shiels (Craigen 65), Wedderburn, Paton, Cardle (Higginotham 65), Clark, McManus.
Subs not used: Gill, Ashcroft, Aird, Ryan, Smith.
Booked: Wedderburn (41), Cardle (61).
Goal: McManus (57)

Greenock Morton: Gaston, Doyle, Gasparotto, O’Ware, Iredale, Ross (Quitongo 64), Murdoch, Harkins, Tidser, Tiffoney (Russell 90), Oliver (McHugh 89).
Subs not used: Brennan, Strapp, Ruaridh Langan, Darren Hynes.
Booked: Ross (12), O’Ware (76)
Goal: Oliver (23), Quitongo (85).

Referee: Alan Muir
Attendance: 2,573.