Match ends, Morton 3, Dumbarton 0.
MortonGreenock Morton3DumbartonDumbarton0
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
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 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
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 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
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Morton 3, Dumbarton 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mark Russell (Morton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Michael Doyle (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Handling (Dumbarton).
Post update
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Luca Gasparotto.
Substitution
Substitution, Morton. Ruaridh Langan replaces Frank Ross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bob McHugh (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt saved. Craig Barr (Dumbarton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Michael Doyle (Morton).
Post update
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.
Post update
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Andy Dowie.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Walsh (Dumbarton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Michael Doyle.
Post update
Corner, Dumbarton. Conceded by Frank Ross.
Post update
Foul by Andy Murdoch (Morton).
Post update
Christian Nade (Dumbarton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luca Gasparotto (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
