Morton 2, Dumbarton 0
MORTON have no fears about heading the first division in a week which could prove crucial to championship ambitions. ``It's a nice place to be,'' said manager Allan McGraw, whose side meet fellow contenders Dundee United tomorrow and Dunfermline on Saturday. Even after these games, the permutations will be endless in a race which has never been tighter.
McGraw conceded after Saturday's impressive victory against relegation-haunted Dumbarton that, at this stage of the contest, he would rather have the points than games in hand.
However, he intends to make sure rivals continue to chase a Cappielow side which, he enthused, is now back to playing the way he likes - with confidence, on the ground, and with a defence which has not conceded a goal in five games.
But there is now one wild-card in that defence - Cameroon keeper Andre Boe, who keeps his place tomorrow after a debut performance which ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.
McGraw said Boe, who rushes off his line with reckless abandon, had done everything asked of him. That, presumably, does not include standing near the centre circle and waving to the crowd during play - even if, on Saturday, it helped bring Morton's opener after just seven minutes.
It seemed all eyes were on the extrovert keeper's antics, except those of Derek Lilley, who drove a Paul Blair corner home as Dumbarton appeared mesmerised by events 50 yards away.
The contest was over from that bizarre moment, and Morton added a second before the half-hour in equally outlandish circumstances.
Alan Mahood robbed Martin Mooney near the half-way line and ran on, and on, with no-one to beat but the Sons' keeper, which he did with ease.
Morton should have added many more because, as Dumbarton manager Jim Fallon admitted, his side ``expects to be beaten'' after going behind.
``It makes it more difficult for us,'' he added. ``But there is no room for players feeling sorry. We've just got to get on with it.''
Dumbarton, indeed, showed grit in the second half, but, arguably, only ruined the spectacle with Morton, content to sit back, also to blame.
Dumbarton are not a strikeforce. Boe was troubled only at corners, and had just one save to make.
Marko Rajamaki raised spirits with 20 minutes to go. The Morton substitute at least knew where the goal was, and such instincts led to some exciting scrambles in the visitors' penalty box.
Boe, signed for a month, promised more frolics to come. He puts his capers down to being in the shop window. Any takers out there?
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