Tonight's clash now a six-pointer

Published 30 Mar 2010 14:00 0 Comments

SATURDAY'S defeat in Airdrie has put Morton under intense pressure in their already fraught bid to stave off the threat of relegation from the Irn-Bru first division.

Airdrie were always going to be dangerous opponents but with Ton having secured positive results in their last three matches - including a win over Kenny Black's men - confidence had been high in the squad to continue this run.

However, now it feels as if it is back to square one as Ayr United's draw against Raith allowed them to move back out of the relegation play-off spot and into eighth, while still possessing a game in hand.

This has made a win against Ayr at Cappielow tonight all the more vital, and the match has most certainly become a proverbial 'six-pointer', with the victor receiving a crucial advantage in both points and morale.

Achieving a result will be far from easy though, with goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert missing after being dismissed early on against Airdrie.

Another player who endured an eventful afternoon was Ryan McGuffie, who scored an own-goal and conceded two penalties.

But Ton boss James Grady, below, would not be drawn on whether Saturday's result would mean an alteration to a defence that had hitherto conceded five goals in five games.

There are, mercifully, some positives to consider and supporters will be able to catch a glimpse of Grady's newest recruit David Witteveen, who is on loan from Hearts, after his debut was curtailed by Cuthbert's red-card.

Morton have struggled for goals this season and the Austrian frontman, right, will be relied upon to augment a misfiring strikeforce.

The 24-year-old has not made an impact in the SPL, but his aerial presence and physicality will add an extra dimension to the attack.

Ayr beat Morton at Somerset Park earlier this month but if Saturday showed us anything it is that past results count for nothing and the players will have to erase memories of Airdrie from their minds and concentrate fully on the task at hand.

This is easier said than done, of course, but with the consequences of losing so great, those in blue and white simply cannot afford to allow their standards to slip.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 30 Mar 10

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