MORTON jumped above Dundee United and into third place in the Ladbrokes Championship when they saw off Brechin City 2-0 at Cappielow.

A double from John Baird, his first goals since coming on loan in February from Inverness Caley Thistle, propelled Ton into third and increased their chances of a play-off spot.

They are one of only four teams this season that winless - and now relegated Brechin - have taken a point off this season, but Jim Duffy's men made sure there was to be no repeat.

Morton almost got off to a great start and had two excellent efforts in the opening exchanges.

After just six minutes Baird held the ball up well for Gary Oliver bursting in from the left, but his angled drive from 15 yards was superbly turned over by Brechin goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Three minutes later Smith was in action gain with an even better save, getting down to his right to push away a downward header from Gary Fraser, who was making his first start since joining on loan from Partick Thistle.

Home stopper Derek Gaston, making his 200th appearance for the Greenock club since joining from Albion Rovers in 2012, should have found himself picking the ball out of the net in 14 minutes though when Jordan Sinclair whipped in an in-swinging corner from the right for the unmarked Paul McLean.

The Brechin skipper looked all set to score, however his flashing header from eight yards went wide of the far post.

Darren Dods’ side seemed determined to grab the opening goal and within seconds Sinclair tried again with an 18-yard curling shot, but thankfully for the hosts Gaston was again equal to it.

Brechin posed a threat again on 19 minutes when McLean headed into the path of Sinclair, but this time his long range effort flew wide.

Morton had a strong penalty claim turned away in 21 minutes when Euan Smith appeared to barge Baird in the box, but referee Mike Roncone waved away the appeals.

The Cappielow men shrugged this off and in 24 minutes had their best chance of the half when a Michael Doyle cross from the right was only half cleared to Scott Tiffoney. The attacker however lacked composure and blasted over from 20-yards.

The Greenock men were on top by now but they had to be patient as chances continued to come. They created another opportunity in 28 minutes when a terrific cut back from Jack Iredale looked set to reach Tiffoney, but the ball was scrambled around the post for a corner by Smith.

Fraser was proving to be a key influence in midfield and in 31 minutes he tried his luck from 25 yards, with his strike just wide. Five minutes later Baird took a return pass from Michael Doyle, but his low 18-yard drive was beaten away by Smith, who was in imperious form.

The Cappielow outfit continued to dominate and after 38 minutes Michael Tidser let fly from 20 yards. Again Smith maintained his fine form and flew to his right to parry the ball to safety.

Brechin gave Morton a reminder of their attacking intent a minute later when Liam Watt was presented with a glorious chance from 16 yards following a mix-up in the home defence but shot over from 16 yards.

Just before the break, a Callum Morrison shot was saved by Gaston after confusion reigned again in the Ton defence. Morton were glad to get to the break without their goal being breached as when the ball broke back to Watt, but he shot over from a good position for a second time.

Those moments of slackness must have focused minds during the interval and Morton came racing out of the traps a much more focused side in the second half.

Within a minute Oliver clipped the ball into the path of Tiffoney, but his first time effort was saved by Smith.

That was the signal that the Ton were set to take a grip on the match and on 49 minutes Oliver and Tiffoney combined to set up Baird in front of goal.

The striker looked sure to score, however Euan Smith got in a superb goal saving tackle, which had to be timed to perfection as anything less would have seen a penalty and an inevitable red card.

The deadlock was finally broken in 50 minutes however when Fraser's corner from the left was met by Baird, and despite being one of the smallest players on the field, he had the simplest of jobs to head home from six yards.

Brechin's defending was poor at the goal and Morton almost made it two in 61 minutes when Fraser was just off the mark with a powerful strike from 28 yards.

The points were secured, along with Brechin's relegation from the Championship, in 72 minutes when Tiffoney carved an opening on the left, slipping the ball through for Baird to run on and chip keeper Smith from a narrow angle.

Five minutes later Duffy allowed the hitman to enjoy the applause of the Cappielow faithful when he brought the two goal hero off, keeping him fresh for the vital run in.

His replacement, Bob McHugh was to have an impact of the unfortunate kind both for Morton and for the visitors.

The ball was fired in the net a third time seven minutes from the end when Oliver tapped in from close range, but referee Roncone adjudged that there had been a foul by McHugh on goalkeeper Smith.

Such was the impact of the challenge that the visiting stopper couldn't continue and was substituted by back up goalkeeper Patrick O'Neil

It just about summed up the day for the 70 Brechin fans who had made the long trip from the north east.

However that was of little concern to the play-off seeking hosts who took another important step towards their end of season goal.