Match ends, Morton 3, Dumbarton 0.
Greenock Morton 3-0 Dumbarton
By Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Cappielow
- From the section Scottish Cup
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Greenock Morton continued their impressive form by comfortably beating Dumbarton to claim a Scottish Cup quarter-final spot.
On-loan winger Frank Ross capped a great move by scoring his first goal for the hosts in the first half.
Jack Iredale got on the scoresheet in the second half when he was well-placed to stab high into the net.
The hosts wrapped things up when Bob McHugh provided a competent close-range finish from Ross's delivery.
That is four consecutive victories for Morton, who as well as sitting nicely in fourth place in the Championship, now have another special occasion in the Scottish Cup to look forward to as well.
Dumbarton are up against it in the league and Ross's early strike did not let the Sons enjoy this tie for long.
The 19-year-old skilfully weaved down the left-hand-side, beating Aidan Wilson before playing a neat one-two with Gary Oliver and thumping a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Andy Murdoch poked wide, Scott Tiffoney shot straight at Scott Gallacher and Iredale headed over as Ton nearly scored more.
Dimitris Froxylias's effort high over crossbar was about as much as Dumbarton could muster in the first half.
Australia's Iredale looked solid defensively and offensively throughout and his goal was a reward for getting forward at the right time; the 21-year-old on hand to finish off after Oliver's initial shot from Tiffoney's low cross had been saved by Gallacher.
Ross headed over and McHugh had an 18-yard shot well saved by Gallacher as the hosts searched for a third.
It eventually arrived when more good work by Ross - on the right this time - culminated in a low cross for McHugh to bury in the bottom corner.
Post-match reaction
Morton manager Jim Duffy: "I am absolutely delighted. We played well and thoroughly deserved it. It's fantastic to be in the quarter-finals as there are a lot of teams bigger than us not there.
"Frank Ross's goal was outstanding with really positive intricate play and a good finish. The second goal was pivotal with Jack Iredale getting in at the back post and that gave us the cushion, then the third goal from Bob McHugh was the icing on the cake.
"Frank has tremendous ability and we want to get him on the ball more. He's getting that game-time and education here. He'll go back to Aberdeen a better player."
Morton midfielder Frank Ross: "I can feel the benefit of the loan spell already. I'm getting fitter and my performances are improving. I just want to keep going. (Aberdeen manager) Derek McInnes knows what the club is like, he just said to go and enjoy it and that it's a good club to play for."
Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken: "We're disappointed, but credit to Morton who were the better team. We gave away some cheap goals. We've had a lot of personnel problems. We had to throw Aidan Wilson in and he equipped himself well."
Line-ups
Morton
- 1Gaston
- 6Doyle
- 19Gasparotto
- 4O'Ware
- 26Iredale
- 12Tidser
- 3Murdoch
- 14HarkinsSubstituted forMcHughat 70'minutes
- 25RossSubstituted forLanganat 87'minutes
- 15TiffoneySubstituted forRussellat 84'minutes
- 7Oliver
Substitutes
- 5Lamie
- 11McHugh
- 16Strapp
- 17Russell
- 20Brennan
- 21Langan
Dumbarton
- 1Gallacher
- 55Barr
- 4Dowie
- 30WilsonBooked at 69mins
- 2Smith
- 6Carswell
- 14Hutton
- 10Walsh
- 20FroxyliasSubstituted forNadeat 65'minutes
- 24Nisbet
- 23RussellSubstituted forHandlingat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Gallagher
- 8Wilson
- 9Stewart
- 19Ewings
- 21Handling
- 27Nade
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 1,746
Match Stats
Home TeamMortonAway TeamDumbarton
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home8
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away8
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Morton 3, Dumbarton 0.
Attempt missed. Mark Russell (Morton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
Michael Doyle (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Daniel Handling (Dumbarton).
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Luca Gasparotto.
Substitution
Substitution, Morton. Ruaridh Langan replaces Frank Ross.
Attempt missed. Bob McHugh (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt saved. Craig Barr (Dumbarton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Foul by Michael Doyle (Morton).
Tom Walsh (Dumbarton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Morton. Mark Russell replaces Scott Tiffoney.
Goal!
Goal! Morton 3, Dumbarton 0. Bob McHugh (Morton) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Frank Ross.
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Andy Dowie.
Attempt blocked. Tom Walsh (Dumbarton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Michael Doyle.
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Frank Ross.
Foul by Andy Murdoch (Morton).
Christian Nade (Dumbarton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Luca Gasparotto (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Scott Gallacher.
Attempt saved. Bob McHugh (Morton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Attempt missed. Frank Ross (Morton) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Dumbarton. Daniel Handling replaces Iain Russell.
Substitution
Substitution, Morton. Bob McHugh replaces Gary Harkins.
Foul by Andy Murdoch (Morton).
Tom Walsh (Dumbarton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Aidan Wilson (Dumbarton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Frank Ross (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Aidan Wilson (Dumbarton).
Foul by Gary Harkins (Morton).
Iain Russell (Dumbarton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Frank Ross (Morton) header from the left side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Dumbarton. Christian Nade replaces Dimitris Froxylias.
Gary Harkins (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Aidan Wilson (Dumbarton).
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Jack Iredale.
Attempt missed. Dimitris Froxylias (Dumbarton) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is just a bit too high.
Attempt missed. Kevin Nisbet (Dumbarton) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
Attempt missed. Tom Walsh (Dumbarton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.