In what was the Ton’s third visit to Palmerston Park in the space of just over six weeks due to a rescheduled Boxing Day fixture, they fell behind on 14 minutes.

Substitute Alex Harris, who had only replaced injured defender Andy Dowie four minutes earlier, fired over a cross from the right which Derek Lyle directed into the net with a glancing header.

It was the former Cappielow striker’s second goal against his former club this season, having netted the first equaliser in last month’s 2-2 league draw.

Morton were denied an excellent chance to equalise on 24 minutes when Stefan McCluskey was manhandled by Lewis Kidd inside the box.

The overwhelming consensus across the stadium was that it was a stonewall spot-kick, but referee John McKendrick disagreed and cautioned the Ton No11 for simulation.

Ton had another penalty claim ignored shortly afterwards, Denny Johnstone tugged back as he charged into the box but he seemed to be punished for refusing to go to ground.

Jim Duffy’s men spent the second half camped in the Queens half but could not find a way to break down the defensive-minded Doonhamers.

On the rare occasions they did, such as an Alex Samuel swivel and shot on 57 minutes, they failed to test home keeper Robbie Thomson between the sticks.

Over the piece neither side deserved to win the match, and the fact they walked away empty handed owed a lot to a lack of cutting edge in the final third as well controversial refereeing.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Kilday ©, O’Ware, Lamie, Russell (Sabajo, 87); Barr, Miller, Forbes (McKee, 78), Tidser, McCluskey (Scullion, 71); Johnstone, Samuel.

Subs not used: Miller, MacDonald, Pepper, Adam (gk).

Booked: McCluskey (24).

Queen of the South (5-3-2): Thomson; Kidd, Brownlie, Dowie (Harris, 10), Higgins ©, Marshall; Hutton, Jacobs (Pickard, 87), Conroy; Lyle (Millar, 85), Smith.

Subs not used: Heffernan, Oliver, Coogans, Atkinson (gk).

Booked: Jacobs (32), Kidd (40), Millar (90+2)/ Attendance: 1,583