Morton last night served notice there is plenty of life in the old club yet, ahead of crunch survival talks this week, with a rousing victory over Ross County.
Ally Maxwell's men put their Highland opponents to shame as they out-fought and out-played a side now in increasing danger of being drawn into the relegation zone Morton occupy.
Ross Matheson emerged the visitors' hero with two brilliantly-executed first-half strikes in 16 and 26 minutes, while Neale Cooper's troops, minus seven squad regulars, had little to offer in response.
The Dingwall side, without a win in eight games, fell behind when Brian Kerr evaded a couple of challenges to the left of the box and, from 12 yards, Matheson slammed a left-foot shot past Garry Hamilton.
After a brief County revival, Morton doubled their lead when Kerr intercepted a slack Brian Irvine pass, before whipping the ball back for Matheson to head home with ease.
Neale Cooper brought on Argentinian striker Martin Prest and Mark McCormick at half-time but they could not prevent a win which keeps the dream of First Division football at Morton next year very much alive.
BERWICK Rangers saw off Arbroath to wipe out a three-point deficit and join the Angus side in second spot in the Second Division table. Crucially, the teams still have to meet again at Gayfield, although the Red Lichties have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.
Alan Neill sealed the points with a glorious 35-yard strike which whistled past Craig Hinchcliffe on 58 minutes. Arbroath held a slight edge in the blustery conditions in the opening spell and John Cusick, Colin McKinnon and John McAulay all went close.
Goalkeeper Hinchcliffe then rescued Arbroath twice by denying Marc Anthony. Berwick continued to dominate after the break, with the wind behind them, and Gary Wood and Martin Neil went close before Neill struck.
COWDENBEATH took a giant step towards the Third Division title, beating East Fife 3-2 at home. The home side raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time, thanks to goals by Mark Bradley, Tom Coutts and Murray McDowell.
But East Fife fought back after the break and reduced the deficit through Paul Mortimer and Kevin Magee. Beath held on for three points, however, and are now just one win away from clinching the championship.
Brechin's hopes of joining them in Division Two next season were rocked by a 2-1 home reverse to Albion Rovers, who went two goals ahead via Stewart Easton and Steve McCormick.
Rovers then had goalkeeper Chris Fahey sent off for fouling Blair Sturrock and Kevin Bain netted the resulting penalty. Peterhead drew 1-1 with Montrose, Martin Johnston's opener levelled by the visitors'Tommy Harrison.
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