Buddies fought hard in the first 45 minutes, but were unable to score for a halftime lead. Morton didn’t fare much better. Four second half goals decided the match, at times a nail biter for the home side, but the match ended 2-2. The total attendance was 5,496.
Morton had the first opportunity three minutes into the match when they executed a corner and caused a mix up in the Saints defense. Morton’s Quitongo pushed through, but Samson pushed the effort wide. Two minutes later it was a turn for the Buddies. McGinn was impeded and the Saints appealed for a penalty, but that fell on deaf ears. Up to the 36th minute it was all Buddies, but they could not get past Morton’s keeper, Gaston. Then it became Morton’s turn, but it was pushed away by Samson. This was the story of the first half, 45 minutes of gasps and hopes, but no tangible results. The first 45 minutes were scoreless 0-0.
Gavin Reilly got the second half underway and it resulted in an early corner for the Buddies. It was gathered by Gaston. In the 48th minute Morgan was located inside the box and rattles the ball toward the top corner. Gaston made a brilliant safe by tipping it over the net.
In the 61st minute Saints made their first switch when Kyle Magennis was replaced by Ross Stewart. Ian McShane delivered the first goal when he sent Gaston the wrong way on a penalty kick for St. Mirren. 1-0 Saints. Morton reciprocated in the 68th minute with a stunning strike from Murdock. 1-1.
Gavin Reilly put the Saints up front again in the 71st minute when got on the end of a Cammy Smith ball and rifled it past Gaston. Unfortunately that lead only last eight minutes when Morton was awarded a penalty. Gary Harkins scored from the spot and the game was a draw again. 2-2.
This is how the match ended and four second half goals see a share of the spoils on derby day.
Line Ups: St. Mirren: Samson, L. Smith, Baird, Buchanan, Stelios, McShane, McShane, McGinn, Magennis, C. Smith, Morgan, Reilly. Subs: Langfield, Irvine, McCart, Stewart, MacPherson, Hilson, Stewart
Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O’Ware, Lamie, Doyle, Oliver, Forbes, Qutongo, Harkins, Tiffoney, Russell Subs: Doohan, Thomson, McHugh, Langan, Armour, Barr, Hynes