AS the games approached its conclusion and the crowd wended its way into Sinclair Street, there was one of these silences in which it is possible to hear players conversing on the pitch.

The home support had long since lost its voice. They seemed stunned by events on the pitch, only recovering to vent their dismay at the final whistle.

Following upon the five-nil defeat at Firhill in their last outing, this was simply too much to bear.

It is hard to fathom how a group of players, several of whom would figure in most First Division managers teams, can look so bedraggled and lacking in shape or motivation.

They have now tumbled to the bottom of the table. The body language at Cappielow these days tells its own story. Just as good times provide their own momentum, so bad are accompanied by an almost physical diminution. People seem to shrink within themselves.

Manager Davie Irons spoke afterwards of how he is confident the situation can be turned round. It would be odd if he said otherwise.

But at the moment this is a team is disarray, leaking goals at one end of the park and lacking punch at the other. With Iain Russell now out on loan to Alloa the options for change in that department are now reduced.

There is a big job ahead to convince an increasingly furstrated support that Morton as a team are progressing on the park.

Attendances tell their own story. Even given the recession, the numbers on Saturday are a matter for concern. In decent times, and by that I don't mean during a promotion run, one would reasonably expect a crowd of around 3,000 at Cappielow in this league.

The loss of a third of that figure, accompanied by a fairly substantial increase in the wage bill over the past year or so, is a dangerous combination for any business.

There wasn't a lot between the two teams in the opening exchanges and it was 28 minutes before Jim McAlister, playing off the front two, had the first true attempt, his downward header being held by Esson.

At the other end, Colin Stewart, a surprise starter and playing with binding on the hand on which he had suffered a broken finger some weeks ago, beat down a Hayes drive.

In 36 minutes Morton created a decent opportunity when Paartalu's long throw was nodded on to McGuffie who, in turn, supplied Brian Wake only for Esson to tip his header over the crossbar.

Golabek suffered what looked like mild concussion after a collision with Ryan McGuffie only to return to the fray.

Inverness were contributing more at this stage and Hayes should have scored in 44 minutes when he took a neat Sanchez pass only to slide a shot wide of the left post.

In the third minute of added-on time, however, they did grab the lead. Hayes was creator this time, slipping past David MacGregor wide right and providing a perfect ball inside to Sanchez who directed it neatly past Stewart.

Referee Richmond incurred the ire of the away dugout when he failed to play advantage when Foran was clean through on goal. From the free kick outside the box, Stratford's effort was diverted for a corner, Stewart doing well to tip the flag kick over the crossbar at his back post.

Wake was replaced by Brian Graham as Morton fought to find a way back into the match but, in 61 minutes, it was Caley who struck a decisive second blow. Foran eased through in the inside left channel, evading Walker's challenge before sliding a shot wide of Stewart. It seemed all too simple.

Finlayson came on for MacFarlane and Esson was called on to smother a low Weatherson drive from a free kick as the hosts tried to reduce the leeway, but by this time the game was irrevocably slipping away from them.

If there was any doubt at all, it was removed with five minutes to go when Hayes produced another fine run which carried him to the left byeline. His cut-back could not have been better and Proctor found time and space amidst the home rearguard to direct his strike into the net from 10 yards.

Morton almost snatched a consolation goal in a late scramble in the visitors' box, only for the ball to be cleared off the line.

INVERNESS (4-4-2): Esson; Tokely, Munro, Golabek, Bulvitis; Hayes, Cox, Stratford, Eagle (Proctor 73); Foran (Rooney 89), Sanchez (Barrowman 83).

Subs not used - Duncan, Allison.

MORTON (4-3-1-2): Stewart 6; McGuffie 6, McManus 5 (Monti 83 2), Walker 6, MacGregor 5; Paartalu 4, MacFarlane 5 (Finlayson 67 2) Jenkins 5; McAlister 5; Wake 5, (Graham 54 5), Weatherson 6.

Subs not used - Grady, McWilliams.

Bookings: McAlister 23.

Referee: Charlie Richmond 5.

Attendance: 1,946.