Morton 0 Dumbarton 0 FOR too long this Morton performance assumed the impetus of a training match, and therein lay their problem.

Commendably, under the new management duo of James Grady and Allan McManus, the Cappielow men have dramatically changed their style from an all-too predictable route one approach to a more effective and aesthetic passing approach.

They continued in that vein on Saturday, but it was all too casual. It lacked any sense of urgency, was played at a pace which seldom troubled their lower division opponents, and basically nullified any advantage the full time First Division men ought to have enjoyed.

With only one up front, Dumbarton's approach was predictably and understandably cautious, based on containment with the hope of snatching something on the break.

It permitted Morton a lot of possession at the back and they knocked the ball about at their leisure. But it was all too often passing for the sake of passing.

At the end of the day only a superb Colin Stewart save from Derek Carcary with a minute to go gave the hosts the opportunity to have another go next Saturday across the water.

Yet there was a clear gulf between the teams, even if Morton failed to exploit it. You tend to get one chance when playing a side from a higher grade of football, and the fact is that Dumbarton never looked good enough to take it.

The Sons will no doubt believe that having taken Morton to a replay at their own ground the balance of the tie has altered but, if anything, this performance will surely have concentrated the collective mindset of the Greenock club.

Yet Morton still had their opportunities over the 90 minutes, but where their front two have held the ball up well in their last couple of displays and looked sharp into the bargain, it was one of those afternoons when little went right for them. Brian Wake in particular had an afternoon when nothing seemed to stick.

But in 12 minutes Morton fashioned a first opportunity, Erik Paartalu sending an excellent, sweeping pass from midfield out to the overlapping David Van Zanten on the right. His low cross flew through a crowded box, arriving at Jim McAlister whose drive from 15 yards hit goalkeeper Vojacek.

A minute later David MacGregor's shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper.

Gradually, however, Morton seemed to become almost mesmerised by their own ability to keep possession. The pace was pedestrian and how that suited the visitors.

In 29 minutes they almost paid a heavy price when skipper Stewart Greacen misplaced a pass, allowing Geggan an opportunity which he skelped narrowly over the crossbar.

At this stage Morton were becoming a little sloppy, but Dumbarton, frankly, did not look alert enough to capitalise.

A Weatherson lay-off was met by striking partner Wake only for his shot to be beaten out by the Sons goalkeeper, then Alan Reid was booked, presumably for dissent, after being forced to retake a free kick by an over fussy referee.

The interval arrived with Colin Stewart diving low to save a Hunter header which looked to be going wide.

Weatherson shot over from 14 yards upon the resumption, then Dumbarton's Geggan forced Stewart into a double save before Chaplain side-footed to the keeper.

Brian Graham was sent on for Wake in 58 minutes as Dumbarton showed signs of believing they could possibly add more to the contest.

In 66 minutes a good piece of play by big Colin Stewart and big Erik Paartalu almost brought an opener. The goalkeeper punted long and accurately to Paartalu who turned and lobbed narrowly over the bar.

A minute later Brian Graham had the ball in the net only for the far side assistant referee to hoist his flag for offside.

Morton then began to press more and, in 76 minutes, Graham headed just over.

It was domination without a cutting edge, however. But, in 83 minutes, Morton were denied what looked a stonewall penalty when Greacen, running out of the box, was sent tumbling by Vojacek. Referee Mclean dismissed home appeals but by now the game was being played solidly in the visitors' half. Weatherson mistimed a shot and then, suddenly, there was danger for Morton.

A long ball relieved the pressure on Dumbarton and found Carcary skipping through the middle all on his own.

Out came Colin Stewart and he did exceptionally well to block the Dumbarton sub's effort.

As the game entered added-on time Morton might yet have finished the tie off only for Vojacek to deny Kevin Finlayson with a good save from a well struck angled drive from the right.

It was the visiting fans who left in high spirits. However, if Morton disappointed, Dumbarton will need to do a lot more of their own if they are to progress to the fourth round.

MORTON (4-4-2): Stewart 8; Van Zanten 6, Greacen 7, MacGregor 6, Reid 6; Finlayson 6, McGuffie 6, Paartalu 7, McAlister 6; Wake 4 (Graham 58 5), Weatherson 5.

Subs not used - Monti, Kane, McManus, McWilliams.

Bookings - Reid 34.

DUMBARTON (4-5-1): Vojacek; Chisholm, Gordon, Smith, Dunlop; Geggan (Clark 80), O'Donnoghue, Chaplain, McStay, Murray; Hunter (Carcary 75).

Subs not used - Craig, McNiff, White.Referee: Steven McLean 6.

Attendance: 1,882.