Morton 2 PARS 2

A LATE leveller from substitute Lewis McGrattan salvaged a point for Morton as Dunfermline opened the Championship season with a Cappielow draw.

The visitors had fought back from a one-goal half-time deficit, courtesy of Gary Oliver's penalty, courtesy of Nikolay Todorov and Kevin O'Hara.

That looked to have won it, but McGrattan's deflected cross from the right deceived Deniz Mehmet and, via a kiss off the far post, found its way into the net.

It is a result that may disappoint Peter Grant after watching his side get in front with 15 minutes to go, but over the course of the 90 minutes, neither side could really argue with the outcome.

There were three changes to the Pars' line-up from last week's win over Stenhousemuir.

Grant elected to field summer signing Mehmet in goal ahead of Owain Fon Williams; Graham Dorrans replaced Reece Cole for his debut; and Paul Watson returned in defence in place of Vytas Gaspuitis.

Dom Thomas and Robbie Muirhead exchanged early efforts off target from range at each end before O'Hara hit the sidenetting from Josh Edwards' cross.

The hosts, who saw Cameron Blues hit the upright after connecting with Michael Ledger's header across goal, were snapping into tackles and posing a threat through Gozie Ugwu and Muirhead, and took a 22nd minute lead.

It was calamitous from a visiting viewpoint as Ross Graham, trying to deal with Lewis Strapp's diagonal, headed it back towards his own goal.

Although Watson cleared off the line, the outrushing Mehmet clattered Ugwu, and Willie Collum awarded the spot-kick.

The keeper was booked, and Oliver slotted home to give 'Ton the lead.

Dorrans, Craig Wighton and Thomas all had efforts blocked as the Pars tried to respond, with Ugwu responding in kind at the other end.

Morton continued to look threatening, with Blues shooting over from the edge of the box, before Todorov should have hit the target at the back post after being picked out well by O'Hara's cross.

However, five minutes after the break, Dunfermline were level.

Brilliant play from Kyle MacDonald saw him speed clear down the right before pulling a cross back for Edwards.

His superb volley was well saved by Jack Hamilton but, as the ball spilled loose, Todorov was there to slam home from close range.

That saw the visitors begin to see more of the ball and territory, and MacDonald soon saw an effort charged down, before an incredible sequence saw them lead with 18 minutes to go.

A stramash from a corner, which Wighton kept alive at the far post, saw both Comrie and MacDonald take aim but both were blocked out, with Morton eventually conceding another corner.

From that, O'Hara was lurking six yards out to hook home and complete the turnaround.

MacDonald then had a shot saved by Hamilton as Dunfermline looked to seal it, but they then conceded a goal with eight minutes left in bizarre circumstances.

Substitute McGrattan got the ball on the right and sent in a cross, which took a deflection and, after hitting the inside of the back post, found the net.

It was then winner takes all, with both teams going for it, but the Pars spurned a glorious chance with two minutes to go.

After breaking from a 'Ton corner, substitute Kai Kennedy took the ball around Hamilton, who had strayed way out of his box in an attempt to get there first.

The on-loan Rangers youngster pulled it back for fellow sub, Reece Cole, at the edge of the box, but he could only fire over the top.

That was the final chance as the Pars were forced to settle for a point.

Morton: Hamilton, Ledger, Strapp, Jacobs, Oliver, Blues, Muirhead, Ugwu, Hynes, McGregor, Lithgow.

Subs: Lyon, Garrity, Russell, McGrattan, King, Stafford, Wylie.

Goals: Oliver (22, pen), McGrattan (82).

Pars: Mehmet, Comrie, Graham, Watson, MacDonald, Edwards, O'Hara, Dorrans, Thomas, Wighton, Todorov.

Subs: Kennedy, Breen, Gaspuitis, Pybus, Allan, Cole, Fon Williams.

Todorov (50), O'Hara (74).

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 821.