The left-back, pictured, had been sidelined for over seven weeks since suffering a knee injury at Easter Road in mid-August, only returning to full training last week.

Although the 19-year-old was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Rangers, this Development League West match represented his return to action.

He was joined in Andy Millen’s starting line-up by fellow first-teamers Joe McKee — who is also working his way back to full fitness after a spell out injured — and Jon Scullion.

Pint-sized striker Scullion was the star of the show in the first half, going close with a dipping effort and then a free-kick which Sons goalkeeper Jamie Ewings did well to save low to his right.

After finding his range, Ton’s joint-top marksman opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a sensational swerving strike that flew off his left boot and sailed over Ewings into the top-left corner.

The visitors could have drawn level on 34 minutes after Russell was penalised for a foul on Daniel Lightbody inside the box.

But Ton goalkeeper Jamie McGowan, fresh off producing two superb saves to deny Keir Whitefield and Steven Ross, blocked Jordan Kirkpatrick’s spot-kick to preserve the lead. Millen’s men finished the half strongly, though, and summer signing Jai Quitongo gave them a two-goal cushion with a composed finish following a perfectly-weighted Cameron O’Neil pass on 39 minutes.

Scullion then crashed a shot against the crossbar and saw Ewings foil him with a fine point-blank save at the end of an impressive, mazy dribble as Dumbarton clung on.

A less eventful second period passed without any significant incident until Sons’ trialist defender guided a thumping header past McGowan on 86 minutes to set up a frantic finish.

But Ton subs Scott Tiffoney and Alex McWaters combined to sew up the three points in the second minute of stoppage time.

Tiffoney stole possession just inside the opposition half and arrowed in on goal. His eventual shot was blocked but span into the path of McWaters who side-footed into the empty net.

Morton (4-4-2): McGowan; Langan, Mitchell, Cairnie, Russell; Stevenson ©, McKee, O’Neil (Duffy, 81), Quitongo (McWaters, 76); Orr, Scullion (Tiffoney, 76). Subs not used: Montgomery (gk). Booked: Russell (33).