MORTON 5 RAITH ROVERS 0 ANY sort of win would have done for Morton after a run of five defeats, but this display was more than anyone in the blue and white hoops could have dreamed of before the kick-off.

Some may point to the fact that Raith lost a man, sent off, in 53 minutes, but this was a very accomplished performance.

Teams often do not make the best use of an extra man, but Morton gave a master class in how to take advantage.

Some of their passing was a joy to watch in the second half as Raith found themselves chasing shadows. The players must take great credit, but so too must management duo James Grady and Allan McManus.

Their philosophy since taking over has been to play proper football - and how all the hard graft at training paid dividends on Saturday. It was the best advert they could have had for all that they have advocated.

As James Grady's assistant Allan McManus said after the game, every single player deserved an accolade.

After months of stagnant tactics and suffocating viewing, this was a real breath of fresh air. There have been signs of it in games under the new management and on Saturday it burst forth like a new bloom.

The players clearly enjoyed it and there was more than a grin or two on their faces as the game progressed.

And what a difference a proper structure makes. Two full backs, something that a blind man could see was so sadly lacking under the previous regime, have suddenly given the team a balance hitherto lacking.

Both Reid and Van Zanten filled their roles diligently. The latter especially is a very good player indeed at this level and all Morton fans must hope he can be persuaded to extend his contract after 5 January.

For Raith, who have done exceptionally well since winning promotion, this was the day the bubble burst. Their manager John McGlynn remained esconced in the dressing room after the match, no doubt as shell-shocked as his players must have been.

It was a bitter lesson in what can happen in this league once you begin to believe you have arrived. If they learn from it they will come back a better side for the experience.

The victory has dragged Morton four points clear of second bottom spot and they can now travel to Airdrie next Saturday with a real spring in their step. Confidence is the greatest asset in any sport and Morton drank heavily at the well of self-belief during this 90 minutes.

With eight players still to return to the squad, this was a massive win, way beyond the three points at stake.

After a tentative opening spell by both teams, Morton took the lead in 14 minutes with the sort of simple strike that has all too often been perpetrated against them.

Stewart Greacen's cross from the right found Peter Weatherson at the back post and his downward header was sidefooted home by Erik Paartalu supporting from midfield.

Raith had a decent opportunity 12 minutes later, only for Tade to lift the ball well over from eight yards after a scramble in the home box.

Wake just failed to get on the end of a Finlayson right wing cross after a fine, sweeping pass by Weatherson.

In 40 minutes Colin Stewart plucked a Raith corner out of the air and set up Van Zanten down the right with a perfect throw, but Jim McAlister couldn't quite get to the cross.

On the stroke of half-time Grant Murray was booked for a foul on Wake, a transgression that was ultimately to prove costly to the visitors.

Morton began the second half very brightly and in 49 minutes Finlayson's near post free kick from the right was headed strongly past the post by Paartalu.

Peter Weatherson fired a drive wide and then came the decisive point of the game. Van Zanten set off on a penetrating run through the middle and was blatantly blocked by Murray. It was a clear booking, and a daft one given that Van Zanten, being forced wide, still had a lot to do. Out came the yellow card, followed by red, and two minutes later, the 55th of the match, Rovers conceded the crucial second goal.

Weatherson sent Wake clear and he shot low inside the left post to give Morton some breathing room.

Thereafter Morton became the totally dominant force.

In 60 minutes the result was guaranteed with a third counter. Jim McAlister flighted over a corner from the left, Stewart Greacen headed strongly towards goal and Brian Wake flicked the ball on past McGurn from close range.

The result was beyond doubt and how Morton began to enjoy themselves, their passing as slick and quick as it was accurate.

In 62 minutes they struck again. Wake threaded his way along the left byeline and his cutback was slightly deflected, but only into the path of the grateful Weatherson who tapped home as simple a goal as he will ever score.

Raith were in total disarray now as Morton cut through them with some excellent interpassing. Ryan McGuffie had two efforts at goal, the first a shot diverted for a corner and the second a header saved by McGurn.

Colin Stewart produced his first save of the game in 74 minutes when he did extremely well, going backwards, to tip a Sloan shot over the crossbar. Paartalu thundered a trademark drive past the left post from distance, then came goal number five.

Young substitute Ryan Kane, who showed some neat touches on the ball in his brief spell on the park, was chopped down as he sped down the right wing. Instead of waiting for the whistle, he bounced back up, retrieved possession and whipped over a perfect cross. Peter Weatherson was at the back post and headed back across the goalkeeper into the net to complete the scoring.

Referees are a much maligned bunch, but the match official deserves credit for allowing advantage to be played.

Jim McAlister almost added a sixth, only an excellent McGurn save denying his well struck shot from 25 yards.

It was a performance which will have added a couple of hundred to the travelling support for next Saturday's trip up the M8 to Airdrie.

MORTON (4-4-2): Stewart 8; Van Zanten 8, Greacen 8, MacGregor 8, Reid 8; Finlayson 8, McGuffie 8, Paartalu 8, McAlister 8; Wake 8 ((Kane 77 6)), Weatherson 9.

Subs not used - Harding, Shepherd, Grady, McWilliams.

Bookings - Van Zanten 72.

RAITH ROVERS (4-4-2): McGurn; Wilson, Murray, Hill, Ellis; Sloan (Wallace 77), Walker, Simmons (Ferry 69), Smith; Tade, Russell (Weddernburn 53).

Subs not used - Trialist, O'Connor.

Bookings - Murray 45, 53; Simmons 66, Hill 83. Orderings-off - Murray two bookings.

Referee: S O'Reilly 7.

Attendance: 1,716.