Airdrie's four-game unbeaten run came to an end as bottom-of-the-table Morton ran out 2-0 winners at the Excelsior Stadium.

From the kick-off Morton looked lively and earned a free-kick after just a minute which caused the home defence some concern, but was eventually cleared.

Airdrie should have gone in front after eight minutes when a fine Paul Armstrong through-ball picked out Lee Gardner, but his cross was pushed away by goalkeeper Stewart Webster.

Owen Coyle, who was following up, saw his effort blocked, then Derek McWilliams blasted a shot against the crossbar when it looked easier to score and the danger was cleared.

In the final 15 minutes of the first half Morton pressurised their hosts and after 32 minutes Ramiro Gonzalez had to be alert to smother the ball as Ross Matheson moved in.

A minute later Fraser Wishart was caught in possession and almost paid dearly, until Scott Bannerman got back to clear the danger.

But the visitors made the pressure tell and after 35 minutes Derek Anderson flicked home a cross from Brian Kerr.

The second half was punctuated by substitutions and bookings and although Airdrie had opportunities to level they failed to take them, while Morton always looked dangerous on the break.

With 25 minutes remaining Robert Dunn should have done much better with his effort after the ball fell to him following a collision between the Morton keeper and Darren Davies.

Morton did eventually grab their second in the final 10 minutes when an awkward pass-back caught Gonzalez in two minds giving Matheson the opportunity to block the ball which fell kindly for Kerr to head into the net.