Morton edged out

Greenock Morton 2 Brewster 53 og, Rajamaki 82 Dundee United 2 Welsh 16, Winters 56 Attendance: 12,

These two sides arrived at the final day of the season from markedly different routes. United fell from grace, and the Premier Division, last year, while Morton appeared as promoted champions of the Second Division. At the end of yesterday's game they had an equal number of points, but superior goal difference pushed Dundee United through to next week's play-offs with Partick Thistle.

The thousands who were locked out gathered on a grassy bank to peer over Cappielow's walls and watch United twice take the lead, only to be dragged back by Morton, who bowed out of the season with dignity. Morton's manager, Alan McGraw, missed several weeks of the season with a heart condition, and he could not have enjoyed yesterday's traumas as both sides started as potential league champions.

In the end, Dunfermline beat Airdrie and won the league on their own merits, but when United led 2-1 and their supporters heard of an Airdrie equaliser, party preparations were started.

United took the lead with the weakest of goals after 16 minutes, when Craig Brewster curled in a corner that Brian Welsh nodded past David Wylie. The defence had followed others while Wylie should have had greater command of his area. While the home side scrapped and chased for openings, the visitors always looked the stronger side.

Morton drew level nine minutes after the break when Martin Rajamaki delivered an inswinging corner which bobbled through United's Dougie Johnstone and Brewster before trund- ling into the net. Three minutes later, United's Steven Pressley flighted in a free-kick which Brewster nodded on to Robbie Winters. He headed United back into the lead. Rajamaki then received a pass in the penalty area and shot low past Ali Maxwell to tie the scores once more.