Hard work and good luck keep County top

Iain Vigurs and Michael Gardyne missed chances to seal the win. When the second goal arrived, there was a hint of good fortune as Morton goalkeeper Colin Stewart pushed a Kurtis Byrne shot on to the bar before fumbling the loose ball into his goal.

County boss Derek Adams said: “That’s our fifth win in a row and we restricted Morton’s group of talented strikers to just one shot, so we must be doing something right.”

Morton’s Allan Moore said: “We didn’t work their goalkeeper hard enough as the quality of balls into their box was poor.”

Second-placed Falkirk ended October unbeaten after a 2-0 success over visitors Raith Rovers, where a minute’s silence was observed to mark the passing of the club’s former chairman, Campbell Christie.

Fans were patient as they waited for a goal. Kallum Higginbotham and Murray Wallace went close for Steven Pressley’s side; the visiting John Baird striking the bar before the deadlock was broken with 13 minutes left.

Blair Alston shot home after Raith goalkeeper David McGurn pushed away a Higginbotham effort, and defender Darren Dods headed in five minutes later to complete the win in the week when a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final place was secured.

Ayr United, who will join Falkirk in tomorrow’s draw alongside Celtic and Kilmarnock, came back from two goals down to defeat hosts Hamilton 3-2. Midweek hero against St Mirren, Chris Smith, proved the match-winner again.

Paul Currie fired the Accies ahead from the penalty spot and it looked like Billy Reid’s men were all set for a win when Greig Spence headed in just before half-time.

Michael Moffat brought Ayr back into the game on 54 minutes, and John Robertson equalised shortly afterwards before Smith won all three points with an injury time header.

Livingston have moved up into third place after winning on their travels for the first time this season as they defeated Queen of the South 2-0.

The Lions went in front after five minutes with a great goal from youngster Marc McNulty, who fired in a 20-yard shot that cracked off a post on its way into goal.

The home side were given a route back into the game when Craig Barr fouled Kevin Smith 12 minutes into the second half. However, Smith’s effort was saved by Andy McNeil, and Mark Fotheringham punished the home side when he slammed home the second.

Dundee slipped back to the foot of the table after a 1-0 home defeat by Partick Thistle. Paul Cairney’s first-half penalty won the game after goalkeeper Rab Douglas was dismissed for fouling Chris Erskine.

lFalkirk midfielder Blair Alston said confidence is so high that the Bairns fear no-one in tomorrow’s Scottish Communities League Cup draw.

Pressley’s outfit earned their place in the semi-finals with a penalty kicks triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice last week. Having stunned champions Rangers in the previous round, the First Division outfit have proven their giant-killing credentials.

With SPL pair Celtic and Kilmarnock, and league rivals Ayr United in tomorrow’s draw, Alston thinks Falkirk would be optimistic of victory against whoever they are paired with for January’s trip to Hampden.

He said: “The way we’re playing just now, the confidence throughout the camp is brilliant, so we just need to keep it going.”