Morton 3 Albion Rovers 0 match review

Nov 14 2012 By Colin Paterson

WILLIAM HILL SCOTTISH CUP

THIRD ROUND:

MORTON 3 ALBION ROVERS 0

Albion Rovers boss Todd Lumsden says his team lacked belief as they crashed out of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

A double from Michael Tidser and a Martin Hardie header earned Morton a comfortable third-round replay win at Cappielow on Tuesday night.

Ton will now face Highland League Turriff United in the fouth round of the competition on Saturday, December 1.

But Rovers' wait for a first domestic cup victory since November 2009 will go on into next season after defeat in Greenock.

"We shot ourselves in foot early in the second half," said Lumsden. "When it comes to the basics like stopping crosses coming into the box or winning a header, we didn't do that.

"I don't think we had enough belief when we were in possession. We didn't have enough belief in our ability to make that pass.

"When I think back to the first game, on a pitch worse than this one, we kept the ball better.

"We're really disappointed with the result but we can't allow ourselves to get too despondent. The players have put in a great effort in these two games.

"But it's done now and there is nothing we can do about it.

"We have to move on as we have a massive week coming up with some important games."

Both teams started brightly with chances at either end. Rovers had opportunities through Steven Howarth and David Crawford while Peter Weatherson and Hardie went close for Ton.

Allan Moore's men gradually took control of the contest, benefiting from the Coatbridge side's inability to use the ball effectively and retain possession.

In the 35th minute, a David O'Brien shot on the turn was well blocked by ex-Ton keeper Matt McGinley.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, French midfielder Fouad Bachirou's excellent cross was volleyed wide from six yards by David Graham.

It was one-way traffic after the break with the deadlock broken in the 51st minute when Hardie nodded home Graham's centre.

Tidser doubled Ton's advantage after good play by Bachirou before the midfielder lashed home in the 72nd minute to complete the scoring.

Morton: Gaston; Taggart, Reid, Rutkiewicz, Dyer (Halsman 82); Tidser; Bachirou (Wilkie 83), Hardie, O'Brien; Graham, Weatherson (Hawke 78).

Subs not used: O'Ware, Hutton(gk).

Albion Rovers: McGinley; Reid, O'Byrne, Donnelly, Russell; Crawford, Innes, T Stevenson, Phillips (Tiffney 87); Boyle (Brannan 60); Howarth (Crooks 69).

Subs not used: Marriott,McCluskey(gk).

Referee: Crawford Allan.

Attendance: 746.