MORTON Under-20s returned to action in fine style yesterday with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of fellow full-timers Queen of the South at Parklea.

It was close to two months ago that Andy Millen’s league leaders last played a Development League West fixture, winning 2-0 at Ayr United on Tuesday December 15.

Yet it was as though they had never been away when Jai Quitongo rounded goalkeeper Jack Leighfield after an attempted backpass to score inside the first minute.

Within seconds Thomas Orr made it 2-0, turning home from close-range to net his 13th goal in 15 appearances after Jon Scullion’s fierce angled drive was parried by the Queens shot-stopper.

Orr is currently on loan at East Stirling but can also turn out for the Ton Under-20s as well due to the fact his is a development loan, and the 18-year-old has also hit two goals in four starts for the Shire.

Ton had started like an express train, and only a smart save from Leighfield prevented wideman Scott Tiffoney from making it 3-0 inside the first three minutes.

The third would arrive from the most unlikely of sources though when, on 25 minutes, Ricki Lamie expertly guided a controlled right-foot volley inside the left-hand post after meeting a Scullion corner.

Orr looked to have added another goal to his tally nine minutes into the second half but was flagged offside after calmly bringing down Tiffoney’s cross and firing into the net.

Gary Oliver and Callum Tapping crashed free-kicks against the crossbar for the Palmerston Park outfit but they rarely threatened the Ton in open play.

And Scullion wrapped up the win 10 minutes from time, clipping a composed finish across goal from a tight angle following a great run and pass from Quitongo.

On a positive day for the Ton, the victory saw Millen’s men extend their lead at the top of the table to six points while the likes of Lamie, Michael Tidser and Michael Miller gained valuable game time.

Morton (4-4-2): McGowan; Miller, Cairnie (Tennent, 78), Lamie (Mitchell, 61), Strapp; Quitongo, Stevenson (Langan, 78), Tidser, Tiffoney; Orr, Scullion. Subs not used: Irvine, McWaters, Maloney (gk).