MORTON Reserves held on for a well-earned point against St Johnstone’s second string despite being reduced to 10 men early in the game at Cappielow yesterday.

Saints hit the post twice in the first period, with Alexander Easdale being sent off for foul and abusive language towards the referee midway through the first half.

Morton looked better in the second half despite going down to 10 men, but were unable to find a winner.
Ton had a large number of first team players involved, with the entire bench from against Ayr United on Saturday starting for John Sutton’s side.

Ross Callachan’s 13th-minute free-kick from the edge of the box was fired past the wall, and Derek Gaston just got a fingertip on it to steer it onto the post.

The midfielder hit the post again seven minutes later when his toe-poked effort squeezed past Gaston.

Easdale was then sent off on 24 minutes. The forward was fouled on the half-way line, and appeared to say something to the referee, who wasted no time in brandishing his red card.

Morton went close towards the end of the half when Reece Lyon’s header was cleared off the line, with Lee Kilday firing over on the rebound.

Morton started the second half well, and went close early on via Reghan Tumilty and Lyon. The hosts had several chances towards the end, catching the visitors on the break.

Robert Thomson had two efforts saved by Mark Hurst, while Lyon saw a half-volley go inches over the crossbar in the final 10 minutes.

Gaston was then forced into a fantastic close-range save from Danny Swanson in the final minutes.