Tomi Adeloye’s first-half goal handed Morton all three points as Airdrie failed to live up to their recent improved form at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.

With defender Aidan Wilson and midfielder Lewis McGrattan ruled out after knocks picked up in last weekend’s draw at Raith Rovers, player-manager Rhys McCabe returned to the heart of the defence, with Gavin Gallagher taking over in midfield. Ben Wilson replaced Ricco Diack in the only other change for the Diamonds.

The visitors were only able to name six substitutes, none of which were a goalkeeper as 17-year-old Sam Murdoch came in for his Morton debut.

The Diamonds started brightly, Mason Hancock’s cross almost curling into the top corner after he had nutmegged a defender inside the first minute.

A minute later Gallagher found space on the edge of the box, but his shot was too high.

A good attacking spell for the Greenock men followed, captain Grant Gillespie twice testing Cade Melrose just after the sixth-minute, but Airdrie’s young keeper was equal to both efforts.

Melrose had to be alert again on 11 minutes, backpedalling to punch out an angled effort from just under his crossbar.

Wilson got the connection with a 15th-minute McCabe free-kick, but under pressure at the far post the striker could only nod wide.

Another setpiece was worked to Dean McMaster three minutes later, and his measured shot looked destined for the net until a defensive block sent it wide. Referee Kevin Clancy awarded a goal kick.

Former Inverness forward Nathan Shaw was next to get a sight of goal for the visitors, but he scooped his shot well over Melrose’s bar on 27 minutes.

A minute later Airdrie were left holding their heads in disbelief as Ben Wilson had his arm pulled as he chased a ball from the left-back area. As the striker hit the deck it seemed the only point of debate was whether the infringement started inside or outside the box, but the referee waved play on.

Murdoch claimed a McCabe free-kick on 34 minutes, and a minute later the young goalie had an assist to his name. A long punt downfield saw McCabe fail to connect with the ball as he attempted a flicked header back to Melrose. Adeloye got a touch as the keeper tried to grab the ball, and was left with the simple task of stroking home to open the scoring.

As the visitors looked to double their lead, Ali Crawford drew a fine diving save from Melrose with eight minutes of the first half remaining.

Cammy Ballantyne did well to block Liam McStravick’s cross as Airdrie rallied, but hesitancy cost the Diamonds dear on 40 minutes, Wilson winning the ball from Murdoch and Mochrie picking up inside the box, but the in-form midfielder wanted a touch too many and Morgan Boyes nicked possession back.

Morton started the second half strongly, Michael Garrity going close with a curling effort before Adeloye fired over from the corner of the box.

Melrose denied Zak Delaney on 54 minutes, with a succession of fouls, bookings, and substitutions then disrupting the flow of the game.

Murdoch continued his impressive debut with a 64th-minute save from Airdrie sub Ricco Diack, with the Morton defence reacting quickest to boot the loose ball to safety.

The young keeper got behind Adam Frizzell’s curling effort three minutes later before visiting subs Owen Moffat and Jordan Davies both passed up decent chances.

A scrappy half of football continued to be broken up by fouls, injuries, and substitutions, with Airdrie’s next chance coming with a minute or regulation time remaining. McCabe sent the free-kick over the top, and a stoppage-time Lewis McGregor chance was well saved by Murdoch.

The result almost certainly consigns the Diamonds to the relegation play-off, with Dunfermline Athletic and Queen’s Park both picking up a point today. Both remain catchable, but it would take four results and an epic goal swing in Airdrie’s favour.

Hamilton Academical were officially relegated following today’s results, although an appeal against their points deduction has been lodged.