SUPER sub Archie Campbell scored a late goal to salvage a draw against Cowdenbeath today and prevent Morton from slipping 12 points behind their opponents.

With Ton nine points adrift of the Blue Brazil heading into the match, it was billed as a relegation six pointer.

And the hosts started full of intent. They had the ball in the net as early as the fifth minute through a curled effort from Garry O’Connor.

But their joy was shortlived, assistant referee Stephen Mitchell’s raised offside flag cutting short any celebrations.

Five minutes later and the former Scotland international was denied his first Morton goal for a second time, this time it was a superb save that thwarted his efforts.

The big striker expertly controlled a Scott Taggart pass on his chest and arrowed in on goal, but Flynn made himself big to prevent O’Connor from slipping the ball beyond him.

But with Ton looking likely to open the scoring they went and conceded against the run of play at the opposite end.

Teenage midfielder Lewis Milne fired over a corner and Cowden captain John Armstrong effortlessly outjumped marker Jamie McCormack to bullet home a header.

It was at this stage that the Cappielow club lost their way, and they were fortunate not to concede a second goal on 33 minutes.

In-form frontman Kane Hemmings was the architect, bursting clear down the right flank and pulling the ball back for the inrushing John Robertson, who swept a first-time effort narrowly wide.

Kenny Shiels made a change at the break, replacing right-back McCormack with former Chelsea kid Ben Sampayo.

The second period was very reminiscent of a recent match against Queen of the South in which Ton spent almost the entire 45 minutes trying to break down the opposition.

On this occasion, the Blue Brazil were playing with a full complement 11 men rather than the nine that the Doonhamers. But they were equally as defensive, sitting deep and soaking up pressure.

And as they were that night, Ton were unconvincing and often laboured in their efforts to find a way through the opposition’s stubborn resistance.

That was until super sub Campbell was introduced and in a moment that caused a real feeling of déjà vu, the jet-heeled frontman converted a cross from the right to save the day.

The only difference was that he hooked home a Taggart cutback on this occasion rather than heading in a Sampayo centre.

As much as there was the feeling Morton needed all three points before kick-off, they certainly couldn’t afford to lose either.

Although a share of the spoils at home to the team above them was far from ideal, it at least means they live to fight another day.

Morton (4-2-3-1): Gaston; McCormack (Sampayo, 46), Cole, Findlay, Fitzpatrick; Taggart, Bachirou (Robertson, 74); Robertson, Imrie ©, McKay (Campbell, 59); O’Connor.

Subs not used: O’Brien, O’Ware, Russell, Caraux (gk).

Booked: Findlay (64).

Cowdenbeath (5-3-2): Flynn; Brett, Brownlie, Armstrong ©, Wedderburn, Adamson; Fowler, Milne, Robertson; Stewart (Stevenson, 81), Hemmings.

Subs not used: O’Brien, Morton, Gold, Miller, Kane, Usai (gk).

Booked: Adamson (57), Fowler (87).

Attendance: 2,087 Referee: Brian Colvin