Queen of the South 1 Morton 2 THE bookies had written off Morton before this match, but there will have been some with Morton affiliations who cleaned up after this result at Palmerston.

No matter what their league position is, Morton simply seem to enjoy playing their football in Dumfries.

In seven outings there since they returned to the First Division three seasons ago, they have now won five and drawn two, a remarkable run against one of the division's better teams over that period.

While the players deserve the bulk of the plaudits for another top display at Palmerston, the management team of James Grady and Allan McManus got their selection and tactics absolutely spot-on.

There were surprise places in the starting ine-up for Stevie Masterton in centre midfield, and for Iain Russell up front.

In the event they were inspired choices. Masterton, often criticised for being a too anonymous figure when not on the ball, not only scored both goals, but he worked tirelessly for the team, while up front Iain Russell's pace, energy and support play gave the home rearguard a torrid time, especially in a sprightly first half for the visitors. The central midfield pairing of Masterton and Allan Jenkins was a key sector for the Greenock men, so much so that their counterparts, Stephen McKenna and Rocco Quinn, appeared to lose the plot at times, letting their tempers become a tad frayed.

A disorganised home display was not helped by such indiscipline and how Morton profited as they closed down their opponents and looked sharp and bright in possession.

In seven minutes they got the opening goal when Peter Weatherson, who has so often put his old team-mates to the sword with his rapier thrusts in front of goal, was sent tumbling 25 yards out.

Up stepped Masterton and his free kick sped into the left hand corner with Hutton well beaten.

Morton were by far the better side, but Queens might have equalised when a Lilley drive from 10 yards broke off Reid for a corner.

Four minutes later it was Iain Russell who was sent scampering through on the left by Masterton's pass. His angled left-foot drive flew across Hutton only to pass wide of the right post. Morton, however, were making a definite impression on a home rearguard whose central defenders, David Lilley and Marvin Andrews, were being made to look very uncomfortable.

Peter Weatherson's drive from the right was half-hit and didn't trouble the goalkeeper, then Russell again beat the offside trap and sent a pass back to Weatherson, but his drive was blocked.

It was all very encouraging from a Morton perspective and better was to come in 30 minutes. Andrews was adjudged to have handled in the box. It seemed a harsh decision, but Masterton stepped up and blasted the spot-kick high into the middle of the goal as Hutton dived to his right.

Morton continued to go forward and were well worth their half-time two-goal lead.

Queens came out in the second half with Kean and Weatherston replacing the ineffectual Knight and McLaren, and they were changes which were to add a definite improvement to the home display.

Kean should have done better than head a Harris free kick over the crossbar from seven yards, then Andrews saw his drive blocked by Weatherson as the hosts pressed on.

From the resultant corner kick, Quinn turned to shoot wide from close range and a pattern was developing.

Masterton was booked for a foul on Quinn, then Queens' Reid was cautioned for kicking the ball away, A couple of Morton corners relieved the pressure before Burns sent a header straight to Colin Stewart in the visitors' goal.

Kevin Finlayson and Stephen McKenna were then booked for some pat-a-cake hand play just before the hosts grabbed the goal their play merited. Harris sent in a free kick from the left, Burns shot into the ground and Weatherston was handily placed to knock the ball home from close range at the left post in 71 minutes.

Shortly after Morton lost Finlayson when he bumped Weatherston off the ball and received a second yellow card. Iain Russell headed well over from a Jenkins cross in reply before Kevin McKilnay came on for the tiring striker as Morton sought to protect their advantage.

Stewart did well to hold a well struck drive by home full-back Reid, then Jim McAlister's shot was held by Hutton at the other end. A splendid Shimmin block prevented Burns from getting a shot away then Brian Grahm came on for Weatherson in added-on time.

McGuffie put in a fine tackle on Weatherston before Graham was booked for kicking the ball away.

At the end of the day Ton defiance held sway.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (4-4-2): Hutton; Reid, Lilley, Andrews, Harris; Burns, McKenna, Quinn, McLaren (Weatherston 46); Holmes, Knight (Kean 46).

Subs not used - Hamill, Fox.

Bookings: Quinn 33, Reid 61, McKenna 70.

Sent off: Hutton after the match.

MORTON (4-4-2): Stewart 7; McGuffie 7, Greacen 7, Shimmin 8, Reid 7; Finlayson 7, Masterton 9, Jenkins 7, McAlister 7; Weatherson 7 (Graham 88 2), Russell 8 (McKinlay 80 2).

Bookings: Masterton 58, Finlayson 70, 77, Graham 90.

Sent off: Finlayson two bookings.

Subs not used - MacGregor, Tidser, Cuthbert.

Referee: Colin Brown.

Attendance: 2,611.