THE first SPFL match of 2019 won’t be recalled with any great fondness come the end-of-year reviews but that won’t matter much to Morton after they moved into a promotion play-off spot with this victory over Ladbrokes Championship leaders Ross County.

In a disjointed but feisty contest, Kerr Waddell’s goal midway through the second half was enough to earn Jonatan Johansson’s side their first home victory for two months.

On the back of a win away to Partick Thistle, this result carries Morton above Inverness Caledonian Thistle into fourth place, much to the satisfaction of their manager.

“I loved everything about that second half – the determination and character from my players was fantastic,” said Johansson. “To pick up six points from the teams who were in the Premiership last year is great. I’m very proud of my players today.”

This was County’s first loss in eight games and they could be supplanted at the top of the table by Ayr United this afternoon.

The Dingwall side were dominant for most of the match but would come to regret missed chances, in the first half especially. They have lost three league games all season and two of them have come at Cappielow.

Co-manager Steven Ferguson said: “It’s a missed opportunity for us to extend our lead at the top of the table. Playing on the Friday night we felt it was a chance to put pressure on the teams below us in the table but we’ve failed to take it.”

With Michael Gardyne lively, County created a number of first-half chances only to be deprived through poor finishing and diligent defending.

Callum Morris was first to threaten, sweeping a shot wide following a short corner, before an audacious piece of skill allowed Gardyne a view of goal. His first effort was well stopped by goalkeeper Derek Gaston before the forward thudded his rebound attempt onto the terracing.

Morton had two chances of note in the first half but both fell to defenders. Rory McKeown lifted a tame effort over the crossbar, while Waddell thundered forward only to then shoot tamely into Scott Fox’s arms.

The home side began the second half with a greater sense of urgency and forged in front after 66 minutes. Marcus Fraser clattered into Chris Millar wide on the touchline, and from Michael Tidser’s enticing free kick, Waddell was given space to sidefoot beyond Fox from about 10 yards.

County’s misery was complete when Fraser was sent off in injury time for a second booking after Gardyne had been fortunate not to also see red after appearing to grab Millar by the throat. County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell was sent to the stand for his role in the fracas.