ALLAN Moore made a perfect return to Stirling Albion last night as Morton defeated his former side 1-0 to end their year-long away-day woes.

Ton had not won on the road since a 2-1 victory against Queen of the South at Palmerston on 13 February 2010.

And that unwanted record looked set to run for at least one more trip until supersub Brian Graham came off the bench to net a fantastic last-gasp winner.

Ton manager Moore was delighted with the win but insisted his side's away record wasn't something that had been concerning him. He said: "It was nice to be back here and get the win.

"It doesn't make it any more special because it was against Stirling - as I'd have been just as pleased to have got a victory in an away match weeks ago, to be honest.

"But I've never felt the away record was a monkey on our back as I don't like to focus on things like that.

"A win anywhere is a good victory in this league as there are no easy games in the First Division and you have to earn the right to win matches.

"It was a pretty even game overall tonight, but I think we earned the right to win with our second-half performance.

"We've dominated the second half and big Brian Graham came on and scored a worldy into the top corner to make the difference." The first half was a tedious affair, reminiscent of the 0-0 draw between the sides on the opening day of the season, as Ton again struggled to break down Stirling's stubborn defensive resistance.

Allan Jenkins did manage to break the monotony with periodic forward bursts from midfield which ended with decent efforts on goal.

In the fifth minute, he latched on to David O'Brien's knock down and fired off a snapshot which skidded just wide of the upright.

Then, 10 minutes later, he went even closer, hitting the target with a powerful left-footed drive from the edge of the box, but Stirling goalkeeper Scott Christie demonstrated lightning reactions to fly low to his right and make the save.

Ton finished the first half in the ascendancy, but looked devoid of ideas in the final third and began pumping long balls out of defence, which were proving meat and drink to Stirling's 6ft 4in central defender Scott Buist.

Shortly after the break, Derek Lyle curled an effort over the crossbar, and Darren Young stung Christie's palms with a measured half volley from 20 yards seconds later, as the visitors sent out an early message of intent.

At the other end, Colin Stewart was a virtual spectator until he was finally called into action on the hour mark.

The keeper used every inch of his enormous frame to dive full stretch to his left to tip Paul McHale's dipping volley wide.

The effort sparked an immediate riposte when Jenkins tore forward after the resultant corner was cleared and unleashed a low drive which Christie did well to turn round the post.

Ton's failure to pierce Stirling's five-man defence prompted Moore to make three changes in quick succession. Off went Sean Fitzharris, Peter Weatherson and Lyle, and on came Stewart Kean, Graham and Graeme Holmes.

Moore's tinkerings almost paid instant dividends in the 71st minute when Marc Smyth drove upfield and picked out Holmes with a superb slide-rule pass.

Holmes then cut back for Kean, who unbelievably crashed a first-time effort against the crossbar from six yards.

The visitors continued to pile forward and got their reward with six minutes left.

Graham worked a yard of space on the edge of the box and sent an unstoppable shot arrowing into the top corner to finally end Ton's travelling travails.

Disappointed Binos boss Jocky Scott said: "Tonight was very frustrating.

"I felt our effort and attitude was excellent, but in the last 25 minutes we gave Morton a lot of room in which to play and it cost us."