The first half was a tense affair in which Derek Gaston pulled off two important saves to keep Ton level while Ross Caldwell headed over from close range after the ball broke for him inside the box.

With the Binos already officially relegated to League Two, there was a sense that if the visitors could get themselves in front then the victory would be a formality.

Jamie McCluskey set them on the road eight minutes into the second half when he lashed past Stirling keeper Cammy Binnie from just outside the six-yard box.

Binnie, 17, was making his first professional start and he was beaten again on 59 minutes when Declan McManus robbed Craig Comrie of possession and placed past the prone shot-stopper.

It was a landmark 20th goal of the campaign for the loanee and one that gave his side some breathing space.

They settled a little too much, though, and lively forward Andy Stirling looked to take advantage by running at the Ton defence.

Gaston used his feet to deny him on 80 minutes and then scrambled to smother a Greg Hurst cross to preserve his clean sheet and prevent a nervy ending.

All that mattered was the outcome, though, and this vital victory moved Morton above Forfar, who lost at Peterhead, and set up a huge first versus second showdown against new leaders Stranraer at Stair Park next Saturday.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston ©; Kilday, Crighton, Lamie, Russell; J. McCluskey (MacDonald, 87), Miller, Forbes, S. McCluskey; McManus, Caldwell (O’Ware, 60).

Subs not used: McKee, Scullion, Orr, Adam (gk).

Stirling Albion (4-3-1-2): Binnie; McGeachie, Cummins, Forsyth ©, McKinlay; Comrie, Beith, G. Smith (Sinclair, 74); Stirling; Paton (Cunningham, 74), Johnston (Hurst, 74).

Subs not used: C. Smith, Weir, D. L. Smith, Robertson (gk).

Attendance: 963 Referee: Nick Walsh