Michael Garrity volleys Morton to draw at Arbroath

Michael Garrity volleyed Morton to a 1-1 William Hill Championship draw at Arbroath on a wintry night at Gayfield Park.

With a howling gale at their backs, the visitors came close to drawing first blood when, after Gavin Reilly had blocked Cameron Blues’ goal-bound attempt, midfielder Iain Wilson rattled the crossbar with a well-struck shot.

Eamonn Brophy steered a Zak Delaney cross just wide as Morton continued to press, but although they enjoyed the better of the first half, they were unable to make the favourable conditions count as the relieved hosts went in at the break still level.

Harry Cochrane whipped an early second-half effort just over as Arbroath threatened to make the wind work in their favour, and they went ahead with 58 minutes gone when, after the visitors had struggled to clear a corner, Aaron Muirhead back-heeled the home side into the lead.

However, Morton were back in it with 16 minutes remaining when Garrity volleyed Owen Moffat’s cross in off the underside of the bar, and his sweet strike proved enough to claim a point.