Match ends, Greenock Morton 0, Dundee United 1.
MortonGreenock Morton0Dundee UtdDundee United1
Louis Moult's 15th goal of the season secured Dundee United's win over Greenock Morton as the visitors move four points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.
The Englishman produced a composed, volleyed finish from a tight angle from Tony Watt's deep cross to the back post midway through the first half.
Birthday boy Jordan Tillson was denied United's second by a brilliant save from Ryan Mullen.
Robbie Crawford's low drive from the edge of the box in the second half nearly found the bottom corner for Morton, who have now lost two games in a row.
Dougie Imrie's men screamed for a penalty when Michael Garrity went sprawling in the box late on, but referee Lloyd Wilson declined to award it.
Jim Goodwin was in the stand serving a one-match touchline ban but watched his team stand firm despite late pressure to extend their advantage at the summit.
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith was also in attendance as he prepares to bring his side to Cappielow on Monday for a Scottish Cup quarter-final.
What the managers said
Greenock Morton manager Dougie Imrie: "I told them the importance of dealing with Louis Moult and we didn't. We leave a guy of that stature and ability in the box and end up getting punished.
"The guys have got to lift themselves for Monday. If they thought tonight was tough, Monday will be tougher. But it's a free hit for us."
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Tonight was all about the result. We knew it would be competitive and we knew it would be a battle. Discipline and concentration levels were key tonight.
"The cross from Tony Watt was perfect and gladly Louis got enough contact on it to force it into the net. We had to stand up and be counted tonight."
Line-ups
Morton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Mullen
- 26French
- 5BairdBooked at 59mins
- 4O'Connor
- 3StrappBooked at 44mins
- 20PowerBooked at 32mins
- 21GillespieSubstituted forMcGrattanat 72'minutes
- 8Blues
- 14CrawfordBooked at 88mins
- 10QuitongoSubstituted forGarrityat 54'minutes
- 9MuirheadBooked at 79mins
Substitutes
- 6Waters
- 17McGrattan
- 18Garrity
- 19Bearne
- 41Murdoch
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1WaltonBooked at 90mins
- 8Grimshaw
- 31Gallagher
- 4Holt
- 33McMann
- 23Docherty
- 16TillsonBooked at 90mins
- 29ThomsonBooked at 76minsSubstituted forFotheringhamat 77'minutes
- 32WattBooked at 57minsSubstituted forMiddletonat 81'minutes
- 14Sibbald
- 9MoultSubstituted forGreiveat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 5McClelland
- 6Graham
- 7Greive
- 13Newman
- 15Middleton
- 17Meekison
- 18Fotheringham
- 26Mochrie
- 28Anim Cudjoe
- Referee:
- Lloyd Wilson
- Attendance:
- 2,115
Match Stats
Home TeamMortonAway TeamDundee Utd
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away4
- Corners
- Home1
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Greenock Morton 0, Dundee United 1.
Post update
Foul by Darragh O'Connor (Greenock Morton).
Post update
Alex Greive (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Jack Walton (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Alan Power (Greenock Morton).
Post update
Craig Sibbald (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Jordan Tillson (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Robbie Muirhead (Greenock Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Tillson (Dundee United).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Michael Garrity (Greenock Morton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Robbie Crawford (Greenock Morton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Robbie Crawford (Greenock Morton).
Post update
Ross Docherty (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Greenock Morton. Conceded by Glenn Middleton.
Post update
Declan Gallagher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Darragh O'Connor (Greenock Morton).
Post update
Foul by Ross Docherty (Dundee United).
Post update
Robbie Crawford (Greenock Morton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee United. Glenn Middleton replaces Tony Watt.
