Having watched Irn-Bru First Division title rivals Partick Thistle narrow the gap to just two points at the top of the table in recent weeks, they missed the chance restore some of their advantage last night, slipping to a defeat and handing a major boost to their main promotion rivals.
It was a rare moment of disappointment in what has been an excellent season so far for Allan Moore's side and it remains to be seen how costly their slip-up will prove. They may still hold top spot but, having played two games more than Thistle, the Maryhill side will feel momentum is with them after their recent pick-up in form.
It had all started so well for Morton. They were ahead after just four minutes, Michael Tidser slicing open the Hamilton defence and David O'Brien finishing across Kevin Cuthbert, Hamilton goalkeeper. That was as good as it got for the visitors.
Morton may have been ahead on the scoreboard but it was Hamilton who were controlling proceedings as they pressed and probed in search of an equaliser. Gary Fisher's well-struck volley from the edge of the penalty area narrowly missed Derek Gaston's right-hand post but it was not long before the goalkeeper was forced into action, saving Stevie May's free kick just minutes after the on-loan St Johnstone forward fired over from 20 yards after a neat turn. Louis Longridge also tried his luck from distance but Morton remained fairly comfortable.
When the goal did arrive for Hamilton, they had Gaston to thank. Fisher's inswinging corner appeared innocuous enough but the former Albion Rovers goalkeeper flapped at the ball under pressure and fumbled it over the line. It was a moment to forget for Gaston and, just after the restart, he almost had another as he spilled a Longridge drive. Fortunately for Morton, he got just enough on it to get the ball to safety.
Gaston, however, was soon picking the ball out of his net once again. Just minutes after Longridge spurned a glorious chance after collecting May's pass, Ziggy Gordon showed his young team-mate how to finish in spectacular fashion, cutting in from the left flank and curling a superb strike into the top corner of the net.
Things soon went from bad to worse for Morton. Having used all three substitutes as Peter Weatherston, Archie Campbell and Kyle Wilkie entered the fray, they were reduced to 10 men as defender Willie Dyer was stretchered off injured after a lengthy period of treatment.
It summed up a below-par, frustrating 90 minutes for Moore's side. Hamilton may have taken the points but there will be plenty of smiles at Firhill this morning, too.
