MORTON dented Dundee’s title hopes with a shock 1-0 over the Championship challengers in a top versus bottom clash at Cappielow this afternoon.

Paul Hartley’s side came into the match off the back of a resounding 4-0 win over Cowdenbeath while the Ton were relegated after their lame 2-0 loss at Alloa Athletic.

With Dundee requiring the three points in their bid to stay a step ahead of Hamilton at the top, a convincing away victory seemed something of a formality.

But the hosts had other ideas. Like they had against Celtic, Ton survived a barrage of corners – 13 to their own zero in the first half – as they kept the Dark Blues out.

They didn’t concede much in the way of clear-cut opportunities from open play, and on the occasions they did, Derek Gaston provided a formidable barrier between the sticks.

He turned ex-Ton man Peter MacDonald’s snapshot around his near post with a foot and later raced from his line to beat down Craig Wighton’s attempt to lob the ball over him.

Dundee stepped up through the gears at the beginning of the second half but still could not find a way past Gaston.

A Nicky Riley shot from distance and MacDonald’s close-range sitter were both well saved while sub Christian Nade fired into the side netting after the Ton No1 had forced him wide.

However, the keeper’s afternoon came to a premature end after a collision with Stuart Findlay left him unable to continue, with Nicolas Caraux coming on in his place.

Ton were creeping into it and had a few glimpses of goal at the other end before taking the points with a 77th minute winner.

Skipper Dougie Imrie, who had earlier received stitches for a head wound, was the hero, slamming a side-footed effort into the top-left corner after great work from Rowan Vine down the right.

The result was a hammer blow to Dundee, who slipped down to second place, one point behind Hamilton.

By comparison, it was, in the grand scheme of things, largely meaningless for a Ton side already doomed to League One football.

But with it being a rare bright spot in a dark season, the victory was celebrated by players and fans alike with a defiant fervour and passion that was as impressive as it was unexpected.

Morton (4-2-3-1): Gaston (Caraux, 68); O’Ware, Cole, Findlay, Russell; Taggart, Bachirou; Imrie ©, Robertson, McKay (McNeil, 90+1); Vine (Campbell, 85).

Subs not used: Knight, Fulton, Cairnie, McCormack.

Booked: Findlay (73).

Dundee (4-4-2): Letheren; Kerr (Beattie, 80), Gallagher, Davidson, Dyer; Boyle, Rae ©, McAlister, Riley; MacDonald, Wighton (Nade, 62).

Subs not used: Irvine, McBride, Conroy, Cummins, Twardzik (gk).

Booked: Davidson (32), Rae (74).

Attendance: 2,117 Referee: Mat Northcroft