MORTON secured their place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup with a battling 2-0 win over Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill this afternoon.

The tie passed a 10am pitch inspection but was contested on a terrible playing surface in horrendous weather, making for an unforgiving 90 minutes for those out there on the park.

After surviving a couple of early scares related to conditions underfoot, Ton adapted to their surroundings and took the lead four minutes before the break.

Former Albion Rovers wideman Bobby Barr burst down the right and picked out Denny Johnstone with a pull-back.

The hitman swept a low shot towards goal and saw the ball squirm through the grasp of home goalkeeper Ross Stewart and into the net.

It was the Birmingham City loanee’s sixth goal in his last six appearances and vitally important to the Ton’s attempt to successfully negotiate a tricky cup tie at the first time asking.

At the other end, Grant Adam was a reliable last line of defence for the visitors despite the torrential rain making it a treacherous afternoon for goalkeepers.

As well as showing sound handling, the shot-stopper made two outstanding second-half saves to keep out Gary Fisher and then Ross Dunlop.

But Joe McKee settled the tie with two minutes remaining, netting with a defected strike following good work from sub Thomas Orr and Ross Forbes on the right.

Morton (4-4-2): Adam; Pepper,  Gasparotto, O’Ware ©, Russell; Forbes, Miller (Kilday, 46), McKee, Barr; Johnstone, Samuel (Orr, 79).

Subs not used: Scullion, Stevenson, McGowan (gk).

Booked: Miller (35).

Albion Rovers (4-4-1-1): Stewart; Reid, R. Dunlop, M. Dunlop ©, Turnbull; Love, Davidson, Fisher, McBride; Willis; Barrowman

Subs not used: Young, Talu, Lochhead (gk).

Booked: Love (40), Reid (90+1).

Attendance: 505

Referee: Greg Aitken