St Mirren had to settle for a point in their first match of 2018 after a 1-1 draw in the Renfrewshire derby.
Lewis Morgan had given the Buddies a first half lead before Morton skipper Thomas O'Ware levelled with 10 minutes remaining to secure a share of the spoils.
The Buddies started brightly, winning a number of corners in the early proceedings including one inside the first 60 seconds. The closest Saints came in the first 20 minutes when Ian McShane had a shot from outside the box. It fell to captain Stephen McGinn who curled towards the top corner only for Derek Gaston to gather.
A few minutes later it was Gaston's long kick up the field which created the first chance for the home side as he picked out Jai Quitongo on the left wing. The speedy winger charged down the flank before making his way into the box. But he was closely marshalled by Jack Baird who did enough to ensure Quitongo couldn't get a clear sight on goal as he curled over.
St Mirren would draw first blood three minutes later when Lewis Morgan scored the Buddies' first goal of 2018. McShane played a one-two with Kyle Magennis on the right before swinging the ball into a dangerous area in the penalty box. Danny Mullen went to attack and appeared to be dragged to the ground by Michael Doyle. The forward could have had a strong case for a penalty, but it didn't matter as the ball fell kindly for Morgan who didn't need a second invitation to slot the ball coolly beyond Gaston to make it 1-0.
Saints deserved the lead and could have doubled it on the half hour mark when Cammy Smith found Mullen inside the box. The striker was dragged wide but still managed to get the shot away from the angle and was unlucky to see it crack off the post before falling into the arms of Gaston.
Michael Tidser had Morton's best chance of the half six minutes later as he arrived in the box in time to meet a neat cutback from Gary Oliver, but he zipped the ball over Craig Samson's cross bar.
The Buddies had a few opportunities to extend their lead as the clock ticked towards the interval. Cammy Smith had a shot blocked inside the box before Ian McShane let fly from a free kick that didn't go all that far by the post.
Saints closed the half with a foul of Mullen drawing a free kick around 20 yards out. Goalscorer Morgan stepped up to take but fired it over the bar.
Half Time: Morton 0-1 St Mirren
The home side started the second half in search of an equaliser and they could have found it less than a minute after the break when Gary Oliver flashed the ball across the face of goal. There were no takers for Morton as it came off Kyle Magennis before being cleared inside the six yard box by Stelios.
St Mirren knew a second would make it very difficult for their Renfrewshire rivals to get back into the match and went close when Cammy Smith had a shot blocked and deflected out for a corner. The ball was played short to Liam Smith who curled in to the back post where it met the head of Jack Baird. It was blocked but found its way back to the defender who sent a shot over.
Both sides would continue to make chances throughout the remainder of the match. Samson did well to save from Quitongo before being able to watch a long range effort from O'Ware harmlessly drift wide.
Gavin Reilly could have got the all important second goal for St Mirren when he managed to wriggle clear of the Morton defence but his shot from the edge of the box was held by Gaston.
Morton would grab their equaliser with 10 minutes to go through O'Ware. A corner kick from substitute Scott Tiffoney found the defender unmarked and he nodded beyond Samson to make it 1-1.
Both sides would have chances to turn one point into three with Saints goes mightily close in the last minute of added time. In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection on how the match had gone as St Mirren continue to lead at the top of the Championship.
Full Time: Morton 1-1 St Mirren
St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Davis, Stelios, McGinn, McShane, Morgan, C.Smith (Sutton 87), Magennis, Mullen (Reilly 55)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Buchanan, MacKenzie, O'Keefe
Morton: Gaston, Murdoch, O'Ware, Lamie, Doyle, Russell, Tidser, Harkins (Tiffoney 65), Quitongo (McHugh 85), Thomson, Oliver
Subs Not Used: Doohan, Gasparotto, Langan, Armour, Forbes
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant Referee: Ralph Gordon
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane
Fourth Official: David Munro
Attendance: 4,126 (1,770 St Mirren supporters)
