IT'S a second successive away day for Morton tomorrow as they go Forth for a date with Dunfermline and try to build on last week's encouraging draw at Tannadice.

The Greenock men were far from fancied ahead of their clash against Dundee United after losing three games on the spin, with the title favourites expected to secure another win and continue their strong start to the season.

In the end United were left hugely frustrated and bleating pointlessly about the match officials as Dougie Imrie's side picked up a well-earned share of the spoils.

The 1-1 draw was an important result for Ton, as it stops the bleeding from the poor start they have made to the campaign and should also give them a bit of confidence.

They looked much more like themselves as they put in a resilient display throughout, defying the continued absence of key players to injury.

While United made most of the running early on, it was the visitors who had the best chance of the first half, when the lively Steven Boyd struck the post from just outside the box.

After they went behind to Louis Moult's glancing header a few minutes later it would have been easy for Morton to feel sorry for themselves.

But instead they rolled up their sleeves and fought their way back into proceedings.

Crucially, they had kept themselves in the game as the second half started and were then in a position to capitalise upon a bit of good fortune when United gifted them an open goal leveller following a calamitous defensive mix-up.

While the goal came from a clear mistake, credit goes to Robbie Muirhead for being so alert and sniffing out the opportunity to take advantage.

This was his fourth goal in five league games, the best start made by a Ton striker in many moons, and of his own senior career.

He looks happy and settled as he begins his fifth season at the club and is continuing the upward curve he has been on since the arrival of Imrie as manager.

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At the other the end of the pitch, new signing Tyler French caught the eye with an impressive debut after arriving on loan from Dundee during the week.

His signing is a huge boost, with the lack of a right back up until then something that had cost Ton dearly.

From an organisational point of view they immediately looked more secure and better balanced as a defensive unit, but the 24-year-old also showed the individual attributes he will bring to the table.

He was calm and composed on the ball, able to get forward and showed an excellent turn of recovery pace, something which could be invaluable over the coming months.

Given that the player had been out for nine months after suffering a broken leg, this was a very promising start indeed and it was no wonder the manager was singing his praises at full-time.

He'll also have been pleased with the dogged defending displayed by his side, something which appeared to cause considerable irritation amongst the home team, their coaching staff and supporters.

They became particularly exercised by the grappling duels which became a feature of the game at corners and free kicks, seemingly ignoring the fact that both sets of players were at it.

Morton were robust when necessary in their approach but it takes two to tango and United are kidding themselves on if they feel hard done by, with the home team committing more fouls than the visitors and having a man red carded for violent conduct into the bargain.

They were incensed when referee David Munro sent Matthew Cudjoe packing for an off the ball incident, but video evidence shows the youngster's flailing arm catching Calum Waters.

It was therefore no surprise when the frivolous appeal against the dismissal was correctly booted out this week.

Cudjoe's red card allowed Morton to enjoy a greater share of possession in the second half but they weren't able to carve out any clear cut chances and, perhaps understandably given recent results, they retreated in the closing stages and that put them under unnecessary pressure.

It was relieved thanks to the quick reflexes and safe handling of goalkeeper Ryan Mullen, who performed commendably after being thrust into the action as a sub for the injured Jamie MacDonald and staked his claim for a return to the starting berth in the process.

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Now Ton turn their attention to what looks another testing assignment at East End Park.

They have enjoyed a good record there in recent years but that won't count for anything tomorrow and it will take another gritty performance to get something from the game.

The Pars came up with the wind in their sails as League 1 champions and have made a decent start, with their 2-0 win over Queen's Park on Saturday further evidence that they are finding their feet.

Imrie will be hoping to have more of his injured contingent back available for the match and that could be critical to his side's chances, with these two teams looking evenly-matched on paper.