Airdrieonians 0-1 Greenock Morton: Late Muirhead goal for visitors
- Published
The only goal came during an eight-minute period of stoppage time at the Penny Cars Stadium.
Robbie Muirhead scored with a stoppage-time header to give Morton a first-leg lead in the Championship play-off final.
The visitors dominated the final 30 minutes but it looked like a tiring Airdrieonians would hold out.
However, Muirhead rose impressively to crash in a 94th-minute delivery from Brian McLean.
The return will be played at Cappielow on Friday, with the hosts aiming to preserve their second tier status.
The visitors might have conjured up a second goal soon after Muirhead's breakthrough had keeper Max Currie not thwarted Reece Lyon following a swift break.
Lyon had fired a shot against the post in the 79th minute.
League One Airdrie, who had lost just once in 11 games going into the match, went close on the hour when Jack McKay drove wide from close range.
Morton defender Brian McLean: "We were the only team looking to win the game. I don't think they caused us any problems other than from set-pieces and the long-throw that they have.
"It's important to stick with our defensive shape and it's so pleasing to keep a clean sheet. Now we need to build on that at home."
Airdrieonians manager Ian Murray: "Of course, Morton are heavy favourites on their home patch but we have to believe. It was a sucker-punch for us to lose that late goal from a set-piece but I'm very proud of the players as well.
"The goal we lost is schoolboy stuff. It happened against Partick Thistle, which cost us the title, so that's two important corner kicks that we haven't defended. That's the only blemish, although quality-wise we can be better."
Morton manager Gus MacPherson: "I thought the longer the game went on, we started to stamp our authority on it. Airdrie have been on a fantastic run, so we had to respect that. We are one in front but it's just half time and we are expecting a tough game."