MORTON'S season of misery continued today as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Montrose to leave themselves on the brink of relegation.

They got the first leg of their play-off semi-final off to the perfect start by taking an early lead.

But they failed to build on it and were unable to cope with a strong second half comeback from the hosts at a windswept and rainy Links Park and now go into Tuesday's second leg at Cappielow with it all to do.

The Greenock men began the game brightly and made the breakthrough with just five minutes played when Kalvin Orsi did well down the left and found Gary Oliver lurking inside the box.

His low shot proved too powerful for Gable Endies' keeper Allan Fleming and flew in at the near post to open the scoring.

Morton were buoyed by the goal and should have added a second not long before half-time when Markus Fjortoft sent a free header off target.

While the visitors had looked comfortable going in at the interval it was a different story after the break as Montrose took the game to them.

They deservedly restored parity just before the hour mark when Russell McLean took advantage of a Fjortoft slip and had time and space to curl a delightful shot into the far corner of the net beyond Aidan McAdams.

As Gus MacPherson's men continued to struggle it looked increasingly likely that there would only be one winner and Graham Webster duly put his side ahead with a fine finish on 77 minutes.

MacPherson belatedly made changes, immediately throwing on both Cameron Blues and Robbie Muirhead in a bid to salvage a draw.

Kyle Jacobs came closest to snatching it when the ball sat up nicely for him on the edge of the box, but his left foot shot lacked direction and it was easily claimed by Fleming.

Morton now have to mount a comeback at Cappielow on Tuesday or they will go down to League One.

*Full report, reaction, ratings and analysis in Monday's Tele.