The sequence of results sees the Ton slip to third, four points behind Stevie Aitken’s league leaders and three behind the Loons, with four games left to play.

In an eventful first half, Declan McManus and Peter MacDonald forced fine saves from Brechin’s Graeme Smith while Robert Thomson and Andy Jackon drew decent stops from Derek Gaston.

Referee Colin Steven had made a few questionable calls before seeming to lose control of the game towards the interval, booking five players as things threatened to boil over.

The whistler infuriated the home support further on 79 minutes when he awarded the visitors a penalty after judging Lee Kilday to have fouled Bobby Barr.

Barr took the kick and confidently fired past Gaston low to his right to give the Glebe Park side the lead.

The livewire wideman has tormented the Ton all season, and he was fouled by Stefan McCluskey for a free-kick on 88 minutes.

Aberdeen loanee Jamie Masson stepped up and whipped the ball over the wall and inside the left-hand post to put the game to bed.

Ton had been found wanting after the break and now need the two teams above them to slip up to have a chance of getting back in contention.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Kilday, Crighton, Lamie (J. McCluskey, 61), Russell: Miller, O’Ware, Forbes, S. McCluskey; McManus, MacDonald © (Caldwell, 71).

Subs not used: Scullion, Ferris, McKee, Caraux (gk).

Booked: O’Ware (40).

Brechin City (4-4-1-1): Smith; McLean, McLauchlan, McCormack, Hamilton; Masson, Fusco, Molloy ©, Barr; A. Jackson; Thomson.

Subs not used: Durojaiye, S. Jackson, O’Neil (gk).

Attendance: 1,823 Referee: Colin Steven