IT is top versus bottom tomorrow when Morton travel to face Falkirk, desperately needing points in their ongoing battle against the spectre of relegation.

The distance between the two clubs in the league table is evidence enough that the Greenock men are facing a difficult task but their need has become all the greater following recent results.

Ton had closed the gap on Cowdenbeath in ninth place to five points following their win at Livingston, but it has grown again to seven.

While Morton’s game was abandoned last Saturday following a tragic turn of events, the Blue Brazil were on their way to a stunning 4-3 win over promotion-chasing Hamilton Accies. That unexpected result was a real fly in the ointment but Morton had the chance to do something about it on Wednesday when their rearranged game against Queen of the South went ahead.

It was an eventful 90 minutes but at the end of it the overriding feeling was that the home side had passed up a great opportunity to pick up three points.

They’d started the game well and were exceptionally unfortunate not to take the lead when a lovely bit of play from striker Garry O’Connor gave him a yard of space for a left-foot shot at goal.

His curled effort beat the keeper all ends up but came back off the post and when the deadlock was eventually broken, the goal came at the other end of the park, as Morton’s bad habit of losing goals right on half time resurfaced.

They will be disappointed by the ease with which Chris Mitchell escaped cover and was able to fire in a cross which was put away by — you guessed it — former Ton striker Iain Russell.

Moments later, Morton were thrown a lifeline when Chris Higgins was sent off for a deliberate handball, and their chances of staging a revival were boosted still further when Russell, perhaps wound up by the controversial decision and the merciless goading he’d received from the Cowshed, lost his temper and was sent off for a dreadful lunge on Jamie McCormack.

With Queens already having to pitch in back-up goalkeeper Jim Atkinson after a injury to Zander Clark, the stage seemed set for Morton to go on and get a dramatic comeback win in front of their own crowd.

It never materialised and they must hope they do not rue what was undoubtedly a costly case of two dropped points.

With 40 minutes to make a two-man advantage count, they had all the possession and the territorial advantage required, but simply couldn’t make it pay.

Credit to the away side for digging in and defending resolutely, but that was to be expected and it has to be said that Morton’s attempts to exploit the situation were lamentable.

With Queens camped in their own half and retreating very deep, their opponents’ efforts were laboured, causing great agitation amongst the 2,000 or so home supporters.

There were no telling passes, the quality and type of delivery could have been better and overall they did not display the guile, pace, poise or invention which was needed to turn the game on its head.

It required a bit of quality, a telling pass, a bit of imagination to open up the depleted visitors but it was sadly lacking until Ben Sampayo’s cross found the head of Archie Campbell, who nodded home the equaliser.

While the point kept Morton’s mini unbeaten run going, the fact that Kenny Shiels’ side had to rely on a late leveller to salvage a draw at home in these circumstances should be a source of disappointment, especially at this stage of the season with games slowly starting to run out and points at such a premium.

They face a difficult task tomorrow at the Falkirk Stadium, with Gary Holt’s men now setting the pace at the top of the division following a good victory over Dundee last week.

The Bairns have beaten Ton twice this season and, given the form they are in, will likely fancy their chances of making it a hat-trick in front of their home crowd.

They’ve been on a superb run of late, enjoying a 10-match undefeated run in the league.

Seven of those games have ended in victory for them, with Inverclyde’s Mark Millar a key figure in their resurgence since his return to the club on loan from Dundee United.

The midfielder can be an influential player and the Morton engine room will have to keep a close eye on him throughout.

Finally, it is only proper to end by recognising all of those who were involved in dealing with the tragic events which unfolded at Cappielow last Saturday afternoon, when Morton follower Andy Kemp tragically collapsed and died during the match.

None of them will seek any public mention, but they did themselves a tremendous amount of credit for the way they handled such an awful situation.

From the speedy reaction and valiant efforts of the St Andrew’s First Aid Inverclyde Group to save Mr Kemp’s life, to the quick-thinking response of stewards and the professionalism and thoughtfulness of everyone in attendance from Greenock Morton FC, there was a lot to be impressed by.

Sadly, all their efforts were in vain — but as the Telegraph reported earlier this week in our interview with Mr Kemp’s son, these individuals have the gratitude and thanks of all his loved ones.

And, in the aftermath of Mr Kemp’s sad passing, the Morton supporters have also excelled themselves by raising around £6,000 for the first aid charity who immediately rushed to his aid last week.

The collection and the sizeable sum raised from it represents a fine and fitting tribute to a loyal Ton fan.

TEAM LATEST EXPERIENCED striker Garry O’Connor was still feeling the after effects from a bout of flu in Wednesday’s draw with Queen of the South but is expected to feature against Falkirk tomorrow.

Aidan Ferris (medial ligament) has been joined on the treatment table by Reece Hands who has suffered a recurrence of the pelvic problem that has plagued him since the League Cup win at Celtic.

Meanwhile, Celtic loanee Stuart Findlay is thought to be available for selection following suspension.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Greenock Morton Supporters’ Club bus to Falkirk will leave the club at 1.30pm, with pick-ups en-route. Anyone wishing a seat on this bus can call John on 07909 997071. Prices are £8 and £6 for concessions.

THE Lighthouse Morton Travel Club bus to Falkirk will leave from the Lighthouse Bar at 1.15pm. Any visitors wishing to travel can phone or text David on 07719 548046 to book seats.

THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus to the match at Falkirk will leave the hotel at 1.15pm. Prices are £8 for adults and £5 for OAPs and under-16s.

Please note this bus is now full.