Three things we learned as Morton held Dunfermline to a draw

Morton had to be at their defensive best in order to leave Fife with a 0-0 draw - and there were three key takeaways from a performance that gives Imrie's side a platform to build on ahead of a difficult run of away games over the next few weeks.

Whilst it was a backs-against-the-wall performance for much of the second half at East End Park, the Morton boss will have been pleased to see his injury-ravaged side extend their unbeaten run to three games.

Here's three things we learned from the draw in Dunfermline:

Gary Woods

Woods was at his best in the draw in Fife (Image: Gary Bradley) There weren't many doubts about Gary Woods' capabilities when he initially signed his player/coach contract back in July.

But he more than showed his credentials as he fought off a Dunfermline onslaught last weekend.

In his first league start since August, Woods was at his best to keep out the likes of Chris Kane, Joe Chalmers and ex-Ton forward Josh Cooper.

He used all of his experience to keep the Pars at bay and was a calming influence when a young Ton side were under the cosh.

It'll be pleasing for Ton boss Imrie to have two trusted custodians between the sticks as the former Exeter and Aberdeen man looks more than prepared to fill the void left by the injured Ryan Mullen.

Defensive prowess

A much-changed Ton defence held on for a clean sheet (Image: Gary Bradley) Dougie Imrie will be pleased to see his new-look side continue their habit of picking up clean sheets.

In fact, that's a trait that's carried over a number of seasons under the Cappielow supremo's reign.

But this season, with the first quarter of the campaign now chalked up, Imrie's side boast a hefty five clean sheets in nine league games, whilst boasting seven in 11 in all competitions.

Couple that with the fact that any game Imrie's side have lost this season has only been by a singular goal in the league. As transitions go, this one couldn't be going much smoother, even if the goals have taken a while to start coming.

Injuries

Cammy Ballantyne missed his first game of the season through injury (Image: Paul Paterson) Just when it had started to look as if it was plain sailing for Imrie, a few injuries took him down to the bare bones for Saturday's clash.

Those knocks couldn't have come at a worse time as he would've been looking to make use of his full squad as they head to Hamilton, Falkirk and Livingston over the next three weeks.

Cammy Ballantyne missed out on the trip to Fife with a calf complaint, whilst Austin Samuels dropped out of the squad all together following on from a knock picked up in training early last week.

Couple that with the absences of Morgan Boyes, who's still working his way back to full fitness following on from an injury picked up against Airdrieonians, and Lamar Reynolds who was missing from the squad all together, Imrie's options are suddenly diminishing, making the next few weeks that tad more difficult.