DAVID MacGregor's first goal in six years earned Morton a crucial win and the praise of boss James Grady.

The Ton went into this clash on the back of a dismal run and in danger of being dragged closer to relegation rivals Airdrie.

Instead, MacGregor, pictured celebrating above, pounced with an all-important header after Peter Weatherson's opener had been cancelled out by Diarmuid O'Carroll.

It was only Morton's third victory at Cappielow this season and gives the team a massive boost at a critical stage of the campaign, while leaving Airdrie 11 points adrift.

Now Grady wants to see his men build on this result and start moving up the table. He said: "Over the last couple of games, David MacGregor has shown the attitude we want.

"There was a corner that went in against Inverness on Saturday and I'd asked the players to show more hunger and desire from our set-plays.

"David took it on board and put an Inverness player in the back of the net.He never managed to get the header, but the aggression was there. I said I wanted more of that and, to be fair, he did it again tonight and it was a fantastic finish." Michael Tidser's early corner offered Morton the first chance but Stephen Robertson managed to punch clear.

The visitors responded through Ricky Waddell's flag kick which Bobby Donnelly headed wide.

But it was Grady's men who made the crucial breakthrough in 20 minutes when Jim McAlister's defence-splitting pass released Weatherson.

Ton's top scorer still had work to do but managed to squeeze his 16 yard shot in at Robertson's right-hand post.

Airdrie almost hit back immediately when Paul Keegan's shot was blocked by Dominic Shimmin but Morton went even closer to a second when Stevie Masterton's cross-field pass found Weatherson in space again.

However, this time the striker fired over. Former Morton midfielder Scott McLaughlin twice went close to bringing the Diamonds level but his first shot was deflected for a corner before Kevin Cuthbert dived to hold another accurate effort.

Airdrie got their reward on the restart when Scott Gemmill pestered the home defence who failed to clear their lines.

The ball fell for Waddell whose cross found Morton still in disarray and O'Carroll took advantage to plant a free header behind Kevin Cuthbert.

Morton suffered a further scare when Waddell sent over a deep free kick and Keegan rose at the far post to head narrowly wide.

However, the home side restored their lead when Masterton's teasing corner was headed in by the determined MacGregor.

Substitute Donovan Simmons then held off Simon Storey and was only denied by Robertson's reflex save as Morton searched for the clincher. At the other end, Cuthbert denied the Diamonds a point with a crucial late save from substitute Kevin Watt.

Grady added: "It wasn't pretty at times but the most important thing tonight was to get three points.

"We are trying to get ourselves up the table and there are plenty points available.

"It is up to the players to show the same work rate and desire as they did tonight." Airdrie counterpart Kenny Black said: "I thought it was two mediocre sides.

"But the three points were the be-all-and-end-all - and Morton got them."