DECLAN McManus netted a dramatic injury-time winner as Morton came from behind to secure a massive three points away at title favourites Dunfermline Athletic today.

The Pars made a blistering start to the game but failed to open the scoring while Andy Barrowman passed up a gilt-edged chance at the other end as Ton threatened fleetingly on the counter.

After a goalless first half, the hosts broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half when Faissal El Bakhtaoui hooked home from close range to bag his third goal in four appearances.

Jim Duffy’s men assumed full control from then on in and only Pars goalkeeper Ryan Scully prevented them netting a leveller with a series of impressive stops.

But there was nothing Partick Thistle loanee Scully could do to prevent Thomas O’Ware from planting a bullet header in the back of his net to restore parity on 79 minutes.

As he has threatened to since the beginning of the campaign, O’Ware, who was deployed in midfield at East End Park this afternoon, finally managed to convert from a pin-point Joe McKee corner.

A draw would have been a respectable result for the visitors but they sensed weakness in the youthful and clearly rattled home defence and went for the jugular.

And their attacking ambition paid off in the third minute of stoppage time when McManus swivelled inside the box and fired off a snapshot which crept inside the left-hand post.

The goals sparked wild scenes of celebration both on the pitch and amongst the travelling support, with the victory closing the gap on second-placed Dunfermline to two points.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Kilday, Crighton, Milojevic, Lamie; Pepper (Crawford, 57) O’Ware, McKee, Russell (McNeil, 68); Barrowman ©, McManus.

Subs not used: Hands, Allan, Scullion, Knight, Caraux (gk).

Booked: McKee (48), Lamie (89).

Dunfermline Athletic (4-1-2-1-2): Scully; Millen, Buchanan, Martin, Whittle; Spence; Byrne (Thomson, 76), Geggan; Falkingham (Forbes, 84); El Bakhtaoui, Moffat (Smith, 84).

Subs not used: Urquhart, Stirling, Williamson, Goodfellow (gk).

Attendance: 3,342 Referee: John McKendrick