AFTER enjoying a much more positive week, Morton will travel north tomorrow in good spirits to face what could be a tricky task against Peterhead.

Following the disappointment of their opening-day league defeat at Ayr, Jim Duffy’s men bounced back last Saturday by comfortably disposing of Stranraer at Cappielow.

They put four goals past the Stair Park outfit, who had two men sent off, and the margin of the victory could have been much greater such was the home side’s level of dominance.

After the match, the manager was realistic enough to admit that the first dismissal had changed the course of the game, which had been fairly even up until that point.

But credit is still due to his players for the way they set about the task of capitalising on the situation.

It’s not so long ago that Kenny Shiels raised eyebrows by bizarrely defending his side’s inability to exploit a nine-man Queen of the South team.

The difference in the two performances was night and day, with the Ton attack able to carve out opportunities at will on this occasion.

The chief beneficiary was Declan McManus, which was fitting as he was the man who’d forced the pivotal moment of the 90 minutes by leaving the Blues’ goalkeeper David Mitchell no option but to haul him down and concede a penalty.

The on-loan striker slotted the spot-kick home with aplomb and went on to grab another before the interval. In between those strikes, Jamie McCluskey showed superb skill to control a terrific long diagonal ball from Stefan Milojevic and bury a ferocious shot into the back of the net.

It was remarkable that only one more goal followed in the second period, with Stevie Aitken’s depleted team somehow surviving a string of scares.

Indeed it took a terrific long-range effort from Conor Pepper for Morton to eventually find a fourth, and the Irishman was another player who could be pleased with a busy and effective showing.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and, yes, there were mitigating circumstances in Stranraer’s downfall but this was a start, and an important win for the Greenock men to get under their belt, especially with another tough away match looming.

They remain a team in transition, with the influx of new players still settling in and the squad short in one or two key areas.

That was perhaps evident in midweek as they made heavy weather of defeating Berwick Rangers in the Petrofac Training Cup, being taken to extra time by Colin Cameron’s League Two outfit after a 2-2 draw.

The additional 30 minutes was well worthwhile from the point of view of hat-trick hero McManus, whose quickfire goal blitz during it took his tally to an impressive five goals in three games for his new club.

Even at this early stage the 20-year-old looks to be a terrific capture.

There was much to admire about the composure he showed in calmly rounding the keeper last Saturday, the way he converted the resultant penalty, and the clever fashion in which he grabbed his second.

He evidently has a poacher’s instinct and good technique in front of goal, but there’s a bit more to him than that, with plenty of intelligent running, skill and endeavour too.

His hunger for goals also bodes well — it was interesting to hear him say he was ‘raging’ with himself all day on Sunday at not bagging a hat-trick against Stranraer.

A striker this greedy for goals can be a real asset and even this early the Ton fans will be hoping that the club can prolong the Aberdeen player’s stay in Greenock for as long as possible. Boss Duffy has already made moves to secure Jamie McCluskey beyond his initial one-month deal and if he can continue to produce then that could be another good bit of business.

As important as the attacking players have been in the last couple of matches, the defence and midfielders may have more of an important role tomorrow as Ton make the long journey to Balmoor Stadium.

It’s a venue which Morton have always found tricky, and they will be facing a Peterhead side which has been tipped to do well this season after clinching the League Two title last term.

They have an obvious threat at the top end of the pitch in Rory McAllister and Andy Rodgers while the signing of former Falkirk and Dundee United man Mark Millar — a player who had been strongly linked with Morton — shows that they are an ambitious club who are looking to make an impact.

The Blue Toon have made a strong start in the league, with a win at Airdrie followed by a draw at home to Stirling, and they posted another good away victory against Brechin while on cup duty in midweek.

Peterhead are likely to be one of the teams in contention towards the top end of the table this season and Morton must be under no illusion about the threat they pose.

The Greenock men will have to defend well, be organised and solid in midfield and work hard to give themselves a platform to build upon in the early stages.

Just like their opponents, they have attacking players who are capable of causing problems, so you get the sense that whoever establishes control and superiority in the middle of the park will be well on their way to getting the desired result.

TEAM LATEST FRONTMAN Andy Barrowman’s recovery from a hamstring strain is on schedule but he is still looking at a further fortnight out and won’t be in the squad to face Peterhead.

Joe McKee went off with cramp late on in Tuesday’s win over Berwick Rangers after failing to train the previous week. However, he also suffered a knee knock earlier in the game and is a doubt for tomorrow.

The trio of Conor Pepper, Michael Miller, and Lee Kilday are all nursing minor injuries and will be assessed ahead of the match.

On the positive front, midfielder Jordan Allan is available again after completing a two-match ban while striker Stefan McCluskey has felt no negative effects after returning from his dislocated shoulder and will hope to retain his starting spot.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus to Balmoor Stadium for the Scottish League One game against Peterhead will leave the hotel at 9am.

The club are also taking bookings for next week’s trip to Station Park, Forfar.

All are welcome with pick-ups available en-route for both these trips. To book a seat on either of these buses call or text Jim on 07983 600945.

THE Greenock Morton Supporters’ club bus to Peterhead tomorrow will leave the Morton Supporters’ Club at 9am with pick-ups en-route.

Anyone wishing a seat on this bus can call the Morton Supporters’ Club on 888273.

THE Lighthouse Morton Travel Club are sharing a bus to Peterhead and will leave from the Morton Supporters’ Club at 9am.