Greenock Morton 3-0 Airdrieonians (agg 4-0): Gus MacPherson's hails 'miracle' after play-off
- Published
Robbie Muirhead's two goals helped ensure Greenock will witness Championship football next season
Gus MacPherson says his Greenock Morton players "produced a miracle" to stay in the Scottish Championship with a convincing 3-0 win over Airdrieonians.
Already 1-0 up from the play-off final first leg, Robbie Muirhead's double and Gary Oliver's header extended Morton's stay to a seventh season.
But it came after early season financial problems led to the departure of previous manager David Hopkin.
"After what went on before, they rose to that challenge," MacPherson said.
Morton are scheduled to be sold to fans group Morton Club Together this summer and MacPherson, who had agreed in March to take charge until the end of the season, told BBC Scotland that he does not know what his future will be at Cappielow.
The visiting Diamonds, who finished runners-up in League 1 before beating Cove Rangers in their semi-final, face a ninth consecutive season in Scotland's third tier.
First-leg injuries to defender Paul McKay and forward Dale Carrick meant Airdrie manager Ian Murray was only able to name six of seven possible substitutes and the Diamonds were further hampered by the loss of centre-back Josh Kerr after half-an-hour.
By then, the 500 home fans permitted into the stadium because of Covid-19 lockdown rules had much to cheer.
Jack McKay's attempted clearance fell into Muirhead's path and the striker who scored the only goal of the first leg took one touch before sending a stunning dipping drive past goalkeeper Max Currie from 18 yards.
The tie was all but over as a contest when Oliver followed up a Lewis Strapp shot off the crossbar for the forward's third goal in four games, after scoring in both legs of the semi-final win over Montrose.
Thomas Robert went close with a shot across the face of Morton's goal from a tight angle after some fancy footwork from the French winger, while substitute striker Ally Roy had a goal chalked off for offside.
However, Airdrie never looked like rescuing the tie and, when Currie could only parry a Stephen McGinn shot, Muirhead settled the game by thumping emphatically into the roof of the net.
What did they say?
Greenock Morton manager Gus MacPherson: "There's a lot of happy people here. There's been a lot of stress and pressure over the last few months and we narrowly missed out on staying up without the play-offs and there was a little bit of frustration.
"I've not been privy to talks with the supporters' group that is taking over the club, we've had no discussion about next season, so we'll have a chat on Monday or Tuesday and see what happens."
Airdrieonians manager Ian Murray: "No complaints. I thought Morton fully deserved their win.
"The first game was close, but tonight they showed their quality and their experience. I have two emotions - disappointment that we're not in the Championship but also immense pride in the players and the way they have performed this season, with our highest finish since 2007."
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