Saints' lesson

St Mirren 2

Greenock Morton 1

St Mirren recovered from an early setback to give Morton a second half scoring lesson in the Renfrewshire derby at Love Street.

With a workmanlike but unspectacular performance, Saints leapfrogged their neighbouring Division One rivals and now lie second behind Dundee.

Goals from Steve Watson and Brian Hetherston put paid to the Greenock club's hopes, and deservedly so for the home team showed the better determination and skill in the second period.

There was scarcely two minutes on the clock when Morton struck the first blow.

Warren Hawke threaded a brilliant pass to Alan Blaikie, who centred with a low cross from the left and Paul Blair was there to strike home from close range.

Ex-Kilmarnock striker Tom Brown had a wonderful chance to equalise on 22 minutes, but his lob over keeper David Wylie passed the wrong side of the bar.

Saints began to dominate and levelled on the hour with midfielder Watson rocketing a left-footer low inside Wylie's post.

Ten minutes later, there was joy for the Saints' support when Hetherston rammed home a poorly headed clearance by the struggling Morton defence.

But Morton can feel hard done by after having a solid penalty appeal turned down when Hawke was felled by Paul Fenwick seven minutes into the second half.

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