MORTON have taken a big step towards Championship safety after defeating Queen of the South 2-1 at Cappielow.
The Ton went into the match in real need of a win and they moved eight points clear of bottom-placed Alloa thanks to Gary Oliver's second half winner against his former club.
Boss Gus MacPherson put his faith in Darren Hynes, bringing him into the side, and the 22-year-old youth product was impressive throughout.
He came close to opening the scoring with an early 25-yard drive which was only inches off target, while Luca Colville saw a shot held by Rohan Ferguson during a bright start for the hosts.
They went ahead in the 19th minute in unusual circumstances when Aidan Nesbitt scored direct from a corner kick, his clipped near-post delivery catching Ferguson out.
The visitors grew into the game however and they equalised just before half-time.
Following some neat approach play down the left the ball was worked back into the middle for Ayo Obileye to thump a fine long range shot low past Aidan McAdams.
It set up a nervy second half, which Ton dealt with admirably.
They got the winner they deserved on the hour mark when Colville sent in a teasing outswinging cross and Oliver met it perfectly with a downward header into the net.
It gave the Greenock men their first home victory since December and sent them level on points with seventh-placed Ayr ahead of their huge final six games of the league campaign.
Before that, they face Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup at Cappielow on Tuesday evening.
*See Monday's Tele for full match report, analysis and reaction.
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