MORTON slipped out of the promotion play-off zone as they went down to a 2-1 defeat against Queen of the South.

The reverse at Palmerston Park brought the Greenock men's five match unbeaten run to an end.

All the damage was done during a disappointing first half.

Ton went behind when Ayo Obileye headed home with a quarter of an hour on the clock.

The deficit was doubled shortly afterwards when Aidan Fitzpatrick picked up possession, drove at the visiting defence and was allowed to waltz into the box and slip a shot past Aidan McAdams.

Ton came to life in the second period following the introduction of subs Craig McGuffie and Rabin Omar.

Both were involved in the lead-up play as Anton McElhone's men threw themselves a lifeline in the 58th minute, when Kalvin Orsi slotted home on the rebound after Aidan Nesbitt's shot had been spilled by Rohan Ferguson.

Morton had the upper hand but couldn't complete the comeback.

They spurned a series of chances - Nesbitt coming close with an effort which drifted just wide before ballooning a shot over the bar from five yards, while Sean McGinty also sent two headers off target.

Ton will now look to bounce back when they meet Inverness at Cappielow on Wednesday.

*See Monday's Tele for full match report, reaction, ratings and analysis.