The Cappielow club last tasted defeat in their opening day fixture back in August 2009 after suffering a narrow reverse against Dundee at Dens Park.

On this occasion, full-time Ton travelled in expectation more than hope as they set out on a campaign from which the target is promotion from Scottish football’s third tier.

The build-up to the game saw midfielder Fouad Bachirou depart for pastures new while striker Declan McManus was brought in on loan.

With just five minutes gone, Aberdeen striker McManus was presented with an opportunity to make the perfect start to his time with the Ton, but he failed to convert Lee Kilday’s cut-back.

Although Jim Duffy’s men failed to get going in the first half, they improved after the break and began to carve out some meaningful openings.

Jordan Allan saw a volley superbly clawed off the line by ex-Morton keeper David Hutton while Nicky Devlin’s goal-line clearance prevented sub Thomas O’Ware from breaking the deadlock.

But that bright spell was brought to an abrupt halt when, on 67 minutes, Allan was shown a straight red card for a wild challenge on Alan Forrest.

It was a mindless tackle that left his team-mates in the lurch: from then on in, 10-man Morton were firmly on the back foot.

And they conceded what turned out be the winning goal 11 minutes from time when the unmarked Ryan Donnelly headed home a pin-point Michael Donald centre.

Morton (4-4-1-1): Gaston ©; Kilday, Crighton, Milojevic, Lamie; McKee, Miller (Hands, 87), Pepper (O’Ware, 64), Allan; J. McCluskey (McNeil, 82); McManus.

Subs not used: Scullion, Russell, O’Neil, Caraux (gk).

Booked: Lamie (23), Pepper (29), Miller (56).

Sent off: Allan (67).

Ayr United (4-4-2): Hutton; Devlin, Campbell (Shirkie [Trialist], 75), Murphy, Donald; Forrest, Gilmour, McLaughlin ©, McGill (McKenzie, 89); Donnelly, McGovern Subs not used: McArthur, Muir, Roberts, Newman (gk).

Booked: Gilmour (36), Donald (70).

Attendance: 1,617 Referee: Craig Charleston