Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 2:00pm

McAlister: Dogfight experience will see us survive

ACTION MAN: Morton's Jim McAlister is confident the team can turn the corner.

MORTON's Jim McAlister is convinced that the side can pull clear from the relegation zone despite last week's disappointing defeat ay Ayr.

He said: "We were in this situation two years ago, when it went to the last game, and we got out of it.

"There is a core of players who know what it's like.

"The boys are still upbeat and I'm confident we'll be fine.

"We've got several home games in the run-in, including two meetings with Ayr. It's vital that we all pull together now."

Looking back to last Saturday's two-nil loss at Somerset Park, McAlister said: "Anyone at the game could see we were cruising in the first 20 minutes.

"If we had got the opening goal I am sure we would have gone on to win comfortably.

"We've seen before, the first goal in this league is often crucial.

"They got the goal in the first half and when they got the penalty soon after the interval their tails were up."

Morton now face going up to Inverness without skipper Stewart Greacen, already suspended for that game, but now facing an extended ban after being sent off at Ayr.

That is likely to mean a return to centre defence of David MacGregor and McAlister commented: "David is probably working harder than anyone in training.

"There is nobody more reliable and he will be hoping to get his chance and take it."

A difficult venue at any time, Inverness will bring added

pressures this time round given the

circumstances, but McAlister said: "We're not going up there for nothing.

"We'll be looking to take at least a point."