MORTON maintained their momentum at the top of the reserve league last night by recording an eighth consecutive win.

While fireworks went off overhead, David Hopkin's 'Bomb Squad' emerged 1-0 victors against Cowdenbeath's second string at a freezing cold Cappielow thanks to a Martin Hardie penalty.

For Ton, Hardie, who missed Saturday's cup tie at Albion Rovers through suspension, was given the full 90 minutes.

In the first half, 17-year-old Ton right-midfielder Alan Frizzell terrorised Beath left-back Ethan Anderson and sent over a succession of crosses - but the hosts failed to make the breakthrough. They took the lead on 70 minutes when Hardie confidently swept home from 12 yards after Tony Wallace had been tripped by Kyle Miller for a stonewall spot-kick.

Ton were only prevented from extending their advantage by some impressive goalkeeping from visiting custodian Lee Wilson, who thwarted Aidan Fulton and Lewis Hawke.

But the solitary strike proved enough to keep Hopkin's side five points clear of second-placed Airdrie United, 4-0 victors over Dumbarton, at the summit.

Morton (4-4-1-1): Hutton; Keogh, Naismith, O'Ware, Halsman; Frizzell (Lynch, 82), Wallace, Wilkie (McLean, 74), Moss (Fulton, 67); Hardie; Hawke.

Subs not used: Jamieson, D. McLaughlin.