Livingston make point in drab draw with Morton

Jordan White missed a good chance for Livingston

Having picked up an important win on the road at bottom club Alloa last weekend, the Lions are now just four points adrift of the Sons, whom they host on Saturday.

Livi manager David Hopkin named an unchanged side from the terrific 3-1 victory in Clackmannanshire but there was never likely to be a repeat of that performance last night.

In truth, neither side really did enough to warrant anything other than a solitary point as the visitors, who are vying for a promotion play-off spot, rarely threatened in the final third.

It was a fairly laboured start from both teams although Morton’s Declan McManus almost capitalised on a Darren Cole mistake in the 18th minute but his netbound shot was tipped wide of the goal by Marc McCallum.

However, the hosts should have edged in front just minutes later when a long clearance from Osman Kakay sent Danny Mullen down the right channel and, with the Morton defence completely exposed, the winger sent the ball into the path of Jordan White, who somehow managed to blaze the ball over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat.

A torrential hailstorm was it as exciting as things got after that as referee Kevin Clancy brought to end a tepid half of football.

The second period fared marginally better and McCallum was again called into action ten minutes after the restart when he dived to his left to palm away a Paul McMullan shot.

Raith Rovers-bound Bobby Barr blazed wide for Morton after a goalmouth scramble before Danny Mullen’s deep cross was headed over by White.

Both sides went in search of that elusive goal with Hopkin bringing on attackers Josh Mullin and Liam Buchanan and the former brought some impetus to the home side’s play.

On-loan Dundee United player Charlie Telfer again impressed for Livi as he slid in Mullin but the former Albion Rovers player delayed his shot and the Morton defence were able to clear.

Livingston: McCallum, Halkett, Cole, Gordon, Longridge, Kakay (Pittman 82), Fotheringham, Telfer, Stanton, Mullen (Mullin 62), White (Buchanan 71). Subs: Quinn, Neill, Currie, Sheerin.

Morton: Gaston, Kilday, O’Ware, Miller, Russell, McKee, Forbes, McManus, McMullan (Quitongo 79), Barr (McCluskey 75), Johnstone. Subs: McNeil, Lamie, Scullion, Tennent.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

Attendance: 787