Published: Monday, 27th October, 2008 12:30pm

On the way up

by Roger Graham

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MORTON 2 DUNDEE 0

IN IT GOES: James Grady’s shot is blocked by Dundee goalkeeper Rab Douglas, but Peter Weatherson follows up to direct a perfect strike from just outside the box into the net for Morton’s opening goal at rain-lashed Cappielow.
Pic by: James McFadden and David Bell

MORTON may not be off the bottom of the First Division table, but a second consecutive win certainly raised spirits at a drenched Cappielow Park on Saturday.

On a pitch in remarkably good condition on what was an afternoon foul enough to deserve a red card, it was a victory well deserved.

At the after-match press conference, Ton boss Davie Irons looked like a man who has had a big burden removed from his shoulders. He said: “It’s nice to get back-to-back victories, and to keep another clean sheet was a pleasing aspect as well.

“I thought we deserved it. Our attitude again was first class. The boys have really worked hard to turn the season round.

“Hopefully it’s not a false dawn and something from which we can really kick on.”

Asked about the quality of Peter Weatherson’s opening goal Irons said: “It was a great goal. I thought James [Grady] and Peter combined really well throughout the game.

“James did well and when Rab Douglas blocked it Peter followed it up. It was a great finish. He still had a bit of work to do. He put it away with real quality and it gave us a nice start.

“In the second half the penalty eased everyone’s nerves and you could see that the players started to believe in themselves.

“They started to pass the ball a bit better and it was a weight off everyone’s minds. There was a bit more freedom about our play today which was nice to see.”

Dominic Shimmin once more showed his class in the centre of defence and Irons said: “It must have been a close call between him and big Stewart Greacen as to the man of the match, but the back four were excellent as a whole.

“Kevin Cuthbert has been a real, big signing for us this season. I know goalkeepers like to keep clean sheets. He didn’t have a lot to do today, but he’s been brilliant since he has come.

“Dom [Shimmin] has brought a bit of composure as well as aggression. He’s only 20. He’s got a long way to go in his career, but I’ll tell you, he can be a right good player.

“The chairman’s put a £5million price tag on him already,” joked the Morton manager, before adding: “Dom knows what he’s got to do. He’s come up here to develop his career. He’s had a good schooling at Arsenal, you can see he’s played. He’s totally dedicated, he loves the club, his team-mates; he’s committed to us.

“Unless Real Madrid come in for him I don’t think he’ll want to leave.”

The victory might have been more substantial too and Irons said: “Rab Douglas brought off a great save from Kevin Finlayson in particular. There were one or two other chances too.

“The biggest thing was that they played with a bit more freedom today.

“When you are struggling and not winning games it’s tough to express yourself. You saw that today — they started to pass the ball and looked a lot more confident. That just comes with results.”

The manager then revealed that midfielder Stevie Masterton had missed out after a training injury to his back, but there were words of praise for Allan Jenkins, who replaced him, when he commented: “It was one of the best games Allan has played since I’ve come here. His work-rate, his attitude was first class. He was one of those who played with that bit more freedom today.”

Dundee caretaker boss Davie Farrell, taking over the reins after the departure of Alex Rae, admitted it had been a difficult week at Dens Park but said: “I’m disappointed with the defeat. I thought for long spells we were in control, but individuals errors are draining the confidence of the team.

“We worked very hard and I thought we started well. In the first half in particular we got a lot of crosses in but I don’t think we actually threatened the goal enough.

“Again we had only a couple of shots in the second half.”

But Farrell said that his side, who are now second bottom of the league, would continue to look up the table rather than down. “You can’t look down or you will go down,” he put it.