MORTON Reserves were edged out 1-0 by Motherwell in a closely-fought encounter at Forthbank Stadium.

A second-half Broque Watson tap-in was enough for the Well to seal the three points against John Sutton’s team.

Robert Thomson made his return since being out of action since August, with his last appearance coming against Dumbarton in the Irn-Bru Cup.

It was sixth versus fifth before kick-off, with both teams having an identical record of two wins, a draw and a loss each.

Motherwell dominated the opening spells and were camped in Morton’s half, with the visitors having little of the ball and unable to get out of their own box for the first 20 minutes.

Morton’s first opportunity came from Kieran Brophy’s corner, but the youngster was unable to find a player in a Ton shirt with his deliveries.

Blair Docherty had Morton’s first real sight of goal on 33 minutes, trying his luck from distance but he was unable to get the ball past Well goalkeeper Peter Morrison.

Motherwell’s best chance of the half came on 39 minutes when Watson’s header was blocked by Danny Farrell.
Watson again went close, this time breaking free down the right, and hitting a clean effort goalwards, but Farrell again was equal to it, getting down well to his right to make the save.

Jamie Semple had a double chance to give the hosts the lead, forcing a good save from Farrell first to win a corner, but blasted his second well over the bar a few moments later.

However, the deadlock was broken on 54 minutes when Semple played in Watson for the simplest of tap-ins from close range to give Motherwell the lead. 

Gavin Watt was yellow carded late on for cleaning out Alfredo Agyeman right on the edge of the box on 81 minutes, but the resulting free-kick from James Scott was hit well over the bar.

Agyeman should have doubled the Steelmen’s lead late on, but a great one-on-one save by Farrell denied them a second, with Liam Brown also going close before the final whistle.