Match ends, Morton 0, Falkirk 1.
MortonGreenock Morton0FalkirkFalkirk1
Falkirk beat Morton to land their first win in six games, moving two points behind Hibernian in the Championship.
John Baird's cool finish from a tight angle proved to be the difference.
That lead was nearly added to when Will Vaulks hit the crossbar from 20 yards, then Morton's Declan McManus did the same from 30 yards.
The game ended on a low note with Falkirk's on-loan Norwich midfielder Conor McGrandles suffering a serious leg injury.
Apart from Ton midfielder Joe McKee almost scoring directly from a corner and Vaulks' looping effort at the other end, the opening exchanges at Cappielow matched the dull weather.
But the uncovered, wet Bairns fans had something to cheer about when Baird used all his know-how to net his 17th goal of the season in front of the away end.
The ball had been booted high into the air in Morton's box and Baird outmuscled home defender Conor Pepper as it dropped, before staying calm to place it beyond goalkeeper Derek Gaston.
Vaulks' technique was ideal as he watched a side-footed curler kiss the the top of the woodwork soon after.
Morton's McKee directed a header wide when well placed and on-loan Fleetwood Town striker McManus - a revelation for Ton last season - went closer with a dipping free-kick just prior to half-time.
Bobby Barr rifled in a low left-footed shot just wide of the far post and McManus tested Danny Rogers again as Morton pushed for the equaliser.
But clear contender for man-of-the-match Baird came closest to hitting the back of the net in the second 45 minutes, forcing Gaston to make a brilliant clawed save from his half-volley.
McGrandles - in his second spell at Falkirk - came off the worst in a crunching tackle with McKee near the end, for which the Morton player was booked.
It meant eight minutes of added time but the visitors held on to secure their first victory since 2 January.
Line-ups
Morton
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Gaston
- 15Pepper
- 2KildayBooked at 26minsSubstituted forForbesat 67'minutes
- 3Lamie
- 17Russell
- 16Barr
- 7McKeeBooked at 90mins
- 4O'Ware
- 11McCluskeySubstituted forTidserat 76'minutes
- 9Johnstone
- 21McManus
Substitutes
- 8Forbes
- 12Scullion
- 14Tidser
- 20McNeil
- 28Quitongo
- 37Tiffoney
Falkirk
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Rogers
- 4Muirhead
- 44Watson
- 5McCrackenSubstituted forTaiwoat 78'minutes
- 3Leahy
- 8AlstonSubstituted forMcGrandlesat 78'minutes
- 6Vaulks
- 11Kerr
- 10Sibbald
- 9Baird
- 18MillerSubstituted forMcHughat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Taiwo
- 17Smith
- 19McHugh
- 22Hippolyte
- 24McGrandles
- 28Mehmet
- 30O'Hara
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 1,991
Match Stats
Home TeamMortonAway TeamFalkirk
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away7
- Corners
- Home5
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Morton 0, Falkirk 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Declan McManus (Morton) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Foul by Declan McManus (Morton).
Post update
Will Vaulks (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Denny Johnstone (Morton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Leahy (Falkirk) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Conor McGrandles (Falkirk) because of an injury.
Booking
Joe McKee (Morton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Conor McGrandles (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Joe McKee (Morton).
Post update
Foul by Thomas O'Ware (Morton).
Post update
John Baird (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Conor McGrandles.
Post update
Foul by Conor Pepper (Morton).
Post update
Luke Leahy (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by Mark Russell.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe McKee (Morton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Post update
Denny Johnstone (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
