MORTON may have been strong favourites, but found resolute Rovers a tough nut to crack during a frustrating first period on Saturday at Cappielow.

But Allan Moore's men came out firing on all cylinders after the break with Tony Wallace breaking the deadlock before David O'Brien added the clincher.

Summer signing Wallace admitted: "We started the second half at pace and that was down to a half-time rollicking from the gaffer.

"We were much better after the break and it was great for me to score a goal in front of the Cappielow fans who were great.

"I am excited about playing full-time football and I think the First Division is going to be difficult to predict with a lot of good teams." Boss Moore admitted that Morton had to increase the pace against the Coatbridge squad who clearly came to stifle his side.

The Cappielow gaffer said: "We were a bit one paced in the first half and I felt we needed to get our full backs into the play.

"I told them to try to get two goals and then we could enjoy the second half a lot better and it turned out well.

"It was that 15 minute spell after half-time where we played our best football and won the cup tie.

"In the pre-season games against Premier League opposition we knocked the ball about well but Rovers never let us do that.

"They were in our faces and shutting us down and although I never felt we would lose a goal we had to do more in the wide areas."