At the end of the afternoon it was Dunfermline who emerged victorious, and few among the home support could have any substantial reason for complaint.

If both sides had their opportunities, the visitors did the only thing that really matters at the end of the day - finding the back of the net twice without reply.

This is an area where the hosts may well experience real problems over the course of the season. It was a problem area last season and a solution will need to be found if it is not to continue this term too.

In the first half in particular Morton struggled to put any serious pressure on the Pars' back four, creating just a couple of half chances.

Things did improve with the appearance of Allan Jenkins and Brian Graham 14 minutes into the second half. They injected a greater sharpness and urgency to the play and must have forced themselves into the reckoning for a start tomorrow night against Ross County at Dingwall in the Alba Challenge Cup second round.

Graham had three opportunites and, while he failed to grab a goal, he at least got himself into dangerous positions and fought hard for the ball. Meanwhile, it is hard to see how Jenkins can be left out. He always brings a new dimension to the side with his driving presence from the midfield.

There was a blow to the hosts in the pre-match warm-up when goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell, brought in on loan to cover for the injured Kevin Cuthbert, suffered a back apasm.

With second keeper Colin Stewart also out with a broken finger, Morton were forced to bring in young Under-19 custodian Ryan McWilliams.

In the event he did a decent job. His kicking gave cause for some alarm on occasions, but he was blameless at both goals. He will have learnt from the experience.

Morton lined up in 4-1-3-2 formation, MacFarlane in a defensive midfield role in front of the back four and Jim McAlister playing in the centre of the trio in front of him, flanked by Stevie Masterton on the right and Carlo Monti on the left.

James Grady came in to partner Peter Weatherson up front, but too often they were forced to fight for scraps.

Skipper Stewart Greacen was booked for clattering David Graham late before Dunfermline took the lead in 19 minutes with a simple goal.

Gibson and Woods combined on the right, the latter sending in a near post cross which Andy Kirk nodded home with no one challenging. It was a bad goal to lose.

Peter Weatherson had his heels clipped by Higgins, who followed Greacen into the referee's book, but it was the visitors who were looking the more threatening, particularly through Graham on the left flank, who skipped past McGuffie rather too comfortably.

After one such excursion he cut inside only to see Greacen block his angled drive.

Morton replied with a good knock-down by Weatherson, but Grady's quickly struck shot under pressure was cleared by Woods for a corner.

At the other end another piece of good play by David Graham led to a firm cross which Higgins couldn't control with a header over the target.

Jim McAlister went close when his long range drive flew past the left post, but it was Dunfermline who went close to increasing their lead three minutes before the interval. Graham again outstripped McGuffie but Kirk struck his cross off the left post. In the ensuing scramble Kirk had the ball in the net only to be adjudged to have fouled McWilliams.

That was a let-off for the hosts. Yet it was Morton who threatened first after the break, Weatherson sending in a great shot on the turn which Fleming spilled only for a defender to clear.

Bayne had a couple of attempts for the visitors and that prompted a double substituion by Davie Irons, Brian Graham and Allan Jenkins coming on for James Grady and Carlo Monti.

In 61 minutes Graham went close when he chipped Jim McAlister's pass over the target from just inside the box. Nine minutes later it should have been level. Jenkins sent a lovely pass to McAlister, free on the left. His quick ball inside was met by Graham who tried to pass it inside the right post only to see the ball drift inches wide.

At the other end a downward header by Higgins from a Cardle corner went close before the Pars sealed the points in 79 minutes. There seemed no obvious danger when Cardle collected the ball in midfield, but he switched it to his right foot and smashed a perfect drive into the top right hand corner of the net.

Then came a great effort by Graham who leaped high to beat the outcoming goalkeeper with three minutes remaining, only to see the ball skim the top of the crossbar.

Morton now face four away games on the trot as they attempt to regain winning ways.

First up is tomorrow's cup tie at Ross County, then come two tough trips to Somerset Park and Firhill in their quest for those first important league points. In between these games is a Co-operative Insurance Cup tie at Rugby Park against Premier League Kilmarnock.

MORTON (4-1-3-2): McWilliams 6; McGuffie 4 (Wake 79 3), Greacen 7, McManus 7, MacGregor 6; MacFarlane 7; Masterton 4, McAlister 7, Monti 4 (Jenkins 6); Grady 5 (Graham 59 6), Weatherson 6.

Sub not used - Russell.

DUNFERMLINE (4-4-2): Fleming; Woods, McGregor, Higgins, McCann; Gibson (Cardle 59), Bell, Burke, Graham (McDougall 64); Bayne, Kirk (Phinn 77).

Subs not used - Dowie and Paterson.

Referee: W. Collum.

Attendance: 2,661.