Motherwell 1-1 Morton (AET, 5-3 pens): Top-flight hosts need penalties to advance
- Published
Highlights: Motherwell 1-1 Morton (aet; Motherwell win 5-3 on pens)
Top-flight Motherwell needed penalties to edge out second-tier strugglers Greenock Morton and progress to the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
After a goalless 120 minutes, Stephen O'Donnell looked to have won it at the very end of extra time with a long-range drive, only for Markus Fjortoft to head in two minutes later.
But Liam Kelly saved from Sean McGinty in the shootout, leaving O'Donnell to slot the decisive penalty and set up a tie at either Stranraer or Hibernian in next weekend's last eight.
For a team currently languishing second bottom of the Championship, Morton started the game like a side flying high in the Premiership.
Gus MacPherson's side's composure in possession and intent to pounce on slack play resulted in the first chances, as Craig McGuffie miscued a near-post finish before Kelly had to race out his goal to thwart Reece Lyon.
It took the best part of 40 minutes for Motherwell to pose any kind of threat, as a succession of corners resulted in one falling to Nathan McGinley, whose close-range effort was blocked well.
The hosts cranked up the pressure heading towards the break, as O'Donnell's cross from the right found Devante Cole, but he could not steer his effort on goal.
Graham Alexander's men started the second half with the same intent they finished the first period with, as O'Donnell again crossed for Cole to control and lash over from close range.
But Morton looked the more likely heading towards full time, as Michael Ledger had a flicked efforted gathered by Kelly and Lyon shot narrowly over.
Motherwell saw their clearest openings in extra time, as Long squandered a golden chance by rattling the outside of the near post and substitute Jake Hastie dragged wide after being played in behind by Allan Campbell.
Steven Lawless then forced Aidan McAdams into a fine top with a header, as the Morton keeper sprawled high to his right to claw the ball away.
But McAdams could do nothing about O'Donnell's strike just moments later, as the Scotland right-back drilled a long-range strike low into the bottom-left corner.
The Premiership side looked to have won it but, straight up the other end, Fjortoft rose highest to power home a header from a corner with the last action of the game.
Morton's jubilation was short lived, as Kelly's save from McGinty and a clean sweep of converted penalties from Motherwell secured the hosts' passage to the last eight.
Man of the match - Jake Hastie
The on-loan Rangers winger was called into action on the 81st minute and showed more attacking threat and intent in his time on the pitch than any of Motherwell's frontline
What did we learn?
Morton can take great pride from their performance going into the tail end of the league season. MacPherson's side currently sit second bottom of the Championship, but showings like this should steer them to safety.
Alexander will have breathed a sigh of relief to avoid the embarrassment of a shock exit, but the same worrying signs were on show again from his side throughout, problems rooted at the club long before his arrival.
With no creativity in the middle of the park, the Lanarkshire side just can't seem to break teams down and there is a serious lack of attacking urgency at times. The Fir Park boss has a huge job on his hands this summer.
What's next?
Both sides return to league action in midweek as Morton welcome Championship winners Hearts on Tuesday (19:05 BST) and Motherwell travel to Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Academical on Wednesday (18:00).