Preview Morton

This match has a 5.30pm kick off for the benefit of live broadcast on BBC Alba.

The broadcaster was no doubt attracted to the fixture between the only two full time clubs in League One and following indifferent form from each, the match can rightly be termed a 'must win' for both sides title hopes.

In 87 league meetings Dunfermline have won almost half, 21 have been drawn and Morton have won 25 but that includes both games already played this season. In September when Dunfermline travelled to Greenock they were top of the league. Morton striker Declan McManus opened the scoring in 29 minutes but when Ross Millen equalised from the penalty spot in 72 minutes hopes were renewed that a win was possible. Unfortunately those hopes lasted just four minutes until Connor Pepper scored the winner.

Alex Whittle and Shaun Byrne came into the team for the return just a month later and Faissal El Bakhtaoui put the Pars into a 1-0 lead early in the second half; Tom O'Ware equalised however with eleven minutes remaining and Declan McManus grabbed a 93rd minute winner.

Only two wins over Morton in the last nine meetings is not a great record but both those wins were at Cappielow.

Both clubs were expected to have done better this season but in such a competitive League One more that half the teams in the league are still within touching distance of a play off place. The Pars have a game in hand on Morton but they are five points behind and really as matches come and go a win is essential for both their title hopes.

Recent Form

Since losing to Spartans in the Scottish Cup at the end of November, Morton have won only twice - away to the bottom two clubs Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion - and have lost their last two home games. Dunfermline have only won three of their last fourteen games and their last away win was at Ayr on 10th October.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Airdrieonians): Ryan Scully; Ross Millen, Gregor Buchanan, Lewis Martin, Jim Paterson (Andy Stirling 27 (Michael Moffat 70)); Josh Falkingham (c), Kyle McAusland, Shaun Byrne, Alex Whittle; Andy Barrowman, Allan Smith (Ryan Wallace 61).
SUBS NOT USED: Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Ryan Thomson, Lewis Spence, Ryan Goodfellow (GK)

MORTON (v Ayr United): Grant Adam; Lee Kilday, Tom O'Ware, Ricki Lamie, Mark Russell, Jamie McCluskey (Ross Caldwell 58), Michael Miller, Joe McKee, Ross Forbes, Peter MacDonald (Aidan Ferris 88), Stefan McCluskey.
SUBS NOT USED: Conor Pepper, Sean Crighton, Milojevic Bjekovic, Craig Knight, Derek Gaston

Andy Barrowman and Ross Forbes have changed sides in the last ten days and that will create an added interest in both camps.

Referee for the match will be Alan Muir.

Elsewhere the 3.00pm kick off will see
Airdrieonians v Stranraer
Brechin City v Peterhead
Stenhousemuir v Ayr
Stirling v Forfar

C'mon Ye Pars!

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