Published: Monday, 10th August, 2009 2:00pm

Higgins breaks Morton hearts

TOUGH: Morton competed well with Dundee.

MORTON lost out on a well-earned point after Sean Higgins' goal saw them leave Dundee 1-0 losers.

Despite Higgins' 56th minute winner, Davie Irons was pleased with the way Ton applied themselves against the title favourites.

Dundee started the match the stronger side with Colin McMenamin forcing a good save from Halliwell after just seven minutes.

In 24 minutes former Scotland star Colin Cameron broke down the right wing and his cross found Richie Hart at the back post, but his header went just wide.

Morton survived the early pressure and could have went 1-0 up in the 27th minute.

Stevie Masterton's wicked corner from the right found Weatherson lurking at the front post, but his glancing header looped over the bar.

Just two minutes later Weatherson had another decent chance to score from a Masterton corner, this time his headed shot went just past the post.

At this point, it was all Morton and Masterton had a pop himself after some good build up play but his long range effort was blocked.

Ton kept up the pressure and almost had the ball in the net in the 38th minute.

After some good work on the right, McGuffie fired in a low curling cross which was missed by the Dundee defence. Jim McAlister was lurking at the back post but his effort to connect was thwarted by a defender.

Veteran Jim Lauchlan was then booked for a professional foul on Weatherson before the big striker hit a shot over the bar just before half-time.

Masterton then had a chance from a free-kick but his shot went over the bar.

The Ton fans gave their heroes a standing ovation as they went off at half-time, in stark contrast to the chorus of boos being dished out by the home supporters for the home side.

But unfortunately for Ton, the jeers turned to cheers when Higgins - who had got himself booked just five minutes in to the second half - nearly broke the deadlock with a turn and shot from inside the box.

The effort looked goal-bound but Halliwell again got to it to put it out for a corner.

Dundee's pressure finally paid off after 56 minutes when Higgins scored the only goal of the game.

Cameron's cross found the former Ross County man at the front post and he clipped the ball into the far corner past Halliwell with the slightest of touches.

Morton brought on Allan Jenkins for Carlo Monti as they went in search of the equaliser before Kevin Finlayson got a yellow card a minute later.

The home side continued to press for a second with ex-Livingston striker Leigh Griffiths replacing McMenanmin after 68 minutes.

Brian Harkins also made way for Craig Forsyth for Dundee.

With 15 minutes left, Morton brought on Brian Wake for Finlayson and Cameron made way for Brian Kerr for the Dens Park outfit.

Dundee should have wrapped the game up three minutes later when pint-sized Griffiths snuck in at the back post, but his header went wide.

It seemed that nothing was going to go Ton's way as Masterton received a yellow card and referee Chris Boyle elbowed Neil MacFarlane in the face - albeit accidentally.

As Ton fought for a last minute leveller, with Brian Graham introduced in place of McGuffie, Graham's shot was well saved by Tony Bullock.

Weatherson had a final chance saved by Bullock and Graham's frustrations got the better of him when he was booked right on the final whistle.