The Greenock men took the lead just after the half hour as Livi imploded within the space of three disastrous minutes.

Mark Burchill’s side were reduced to 10 men when Ben Gordon was shown a straight card for a cynical foul on Conor Pepper.

They then gifted Ton the lead shortly thereafter, Stefan McCluskey profiting from a mix up between Declan Gallagher and goalkeeper Darren Jamieson to roll the ball into an empty net.

The visitors made the most of the man advantage in the second half, and could well have scored more than the four they managed.

Denny Johnstone fired past Jamieson seven minutes after the restart to double their advantage before Bobby Barr controlled a Romario Sabajo cross and rifled in a third on 65 minutes.

Barr turned provider on 82 minutes, squaring for sub Jon Scullion to slot home the fourth as the Ton threatened to run riot.

Swansea loanee Alex Samuel, who looks a fine addition based on this brief showing, forced a fine save from Jamieson, saw one shot hit the inside of the post and teed up Barr for another opportunity that was hacked off the line.

To say it could have been 7-0 at this stage is no exaggeration, and yet the scoreline would finish 4-2 after a ropey last five minutes saw Livingston score twice.

Subs Jordan White and Jordyn Sheerin both netted while Miles Hippolyte crashed a rising drive off the underside of the crossbar.

But the disappointment of finally conceding after three consecutive shutouts was far outweighed by an excellent away win that moves Morton up to fourth in the Championship table.

Morton (4-4-2): Adam; Kilday ©, O’Ware, Lamie, Pepper; Barr, Miller, Forbes (Tidser, 67), Sabajo (Samuel, 77); Johnstone (Scullion, 73), McCluskey.

Subs not used: Orr, Stevenson, Gaston (gk).

Booked: Pepper (90+1).

Livingston (4-2-3-1): Jamieson; Millen, Gordon, Gallagher, Longridge (White, 46); Gibbons, Cole ©; Glen, Mullen (Faria, 78), Hippolyte; Buchanan (Sheerin, 78).

Subs not used: Sives, Neill, Georgiev, Gould (gk).

Booked: Glen (65).

Sent off: Gordon (29).

Attendance: 1,186 Referee: Euan Anderson