Cowdenbeath moved the Greenock men ever closer to relegation with this emphatic win over the Championship’s bottom side at Central Park.
A double from Kyle Miller helped them beat ’Ton and move to within four points of Raith Rovers who lost at Hamilton and five of Alloa who were beaten at Livingston and which delighted boss Jimmy Nicholl.
He said: “It was important that we grabbed the victory and we also scored some cracking goals so we are still keeping our chances of beating the play-offs very much alive.”
Cowdenbeath’s first came as a long throw by Rory McKeown proved perfect for Miller whose 10-yard header flew high over the ’keeper.
Morton hit back and forced a corner and from the set piece Thomas O’Ware got space in the home box but his shot drifted just wide.
Seven minutes from the break, as Morton kept trying to press the home defence, Fouad Bachirou’s corner was met by Stuart Findlay and his 12-yard header just cleared the Cowden bar.
Morton sent former Cowden player Archie Campbell on for O’Connor and Barrie McKay for Darren Cole on the restart but it was Cowdenbeath who threatened first with a low Dean Brett cross which forced Findlay to hit the ball past his own left hand post.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in 53 minutes when Rowan Vine was red carded for gesturing to the terracing side linesman and on the hour McKeown got clear of the Morton cover and his chip just cleared the bar.
But two minutes later the home side got number two. The Morton off-side trap again failed and Greg Stewart ran clear into the box and coolly slotted the ball past Gaston.
Then with 21 minutes left the third came for the Fifers when Stewart provided the chance for Miller who grabbed his second with a fine low 12-yard shot.
Stewart almost grabbed a fourth with a fine run and a fierce 12-yarder.