MORTON went down to a 1-0 defeat against Dunfermline in new boss Gus MacPherson's first game in charge.

The Greenock men, who handed new signing Stephen McGinn a debut, were hoping to follow up on their midweek win at Inverness with another good result, but they found it difficult to fashion much in the way of a threat and paid the price for a lapse in concentration.

In a largely even first half they conceded a penalty 20 minutes in when Aidan McAdams came charging off his line and cleaned out the onrushing Steve Banks.

The keeper atoned when he saved Craig Wighton's spot kick and the big striker could only knock the rebound onto the crossbar.

If Ton thought they'd escaped intact until half time the hosts had other ideas.

Dom Thomas and Banks combined out on the left and when the cross came in it found Wighton in space to head home, with the visitors guilty of slack marking in the box.

Ton rarely threatened after the break, with Aidan Nesbitt wasting their best chance when he fastened on to Brian McLean's clipped ball over the top only to fire off target.

At the other end McAdams and his defence had to look lively to thwart Banks and Aaron Comrie in quick succession.

Ton threw on Gary Oliver, Cameron Salkeld and Kalvin Orsi and the latter saw a header comfortably held by Owain Fon Williams in the Pars' goal as the game petered out.

Ton stay sixth after defeats for Ayr and Arbroath beneath them, but bottom side Alloa picked up three points as the battle to avoid the drop intensifies.

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