Sean McGinty’s first Airdrie goal gave the Diamonds a fourth consecutive win – and a third on the road – in inclement conditions at Cappielow.

Though not a vintage performance, another big three points will be all that concerns a noisy travelling support as they dry out after a rather rainy Inverclyde afternoon.

Caretaker boss Aaron Taylor-Sinclair reverted to the side which had beaten Ross County last weekend after ringing the changes for the midweek win over Alloa Athletic, while also welcoming Lewis Strapp, Rhys Armstrong and Liam McStravick back to the bench after spells out through injury and illness.

After a short delay to the kick-off due to an unsecured goal-net, the match began in feisty fashion as one foul halted Chris Mochrie’s progress before another resulted in an early booking for Cameron Blues.

Airdrie started strongly, Mochrie just failing to get on the end of Dylan MacDonald’s fourth-minute chipped pass before Gavin Gallagher won a corner after launching an attack with an incisive pass on nine minutes.

Four minutes later Euan Henderson saw an ambitious effort drift wide of the post before a similar strike was blocked, with Jamie Barjonas’s effort from the loose ball touched behind for a corner.

Morton took control after the quarter-hour mark, McGinty halting an overloaded counter-attack with a strong header before Blues sent a shot wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The hosts continued to press forward, with Cade Melrose racing out to collect at the feet of Owen Moffat before McGinty and Craig Ross were called upon to make important blocks.

Melrose continued his good form with an excellent save from Michael Garrity on 22 minutes, the winger foiled by the Diamonds keeper again four minutes later.

Mochrie and Henderson began to show glimpses of their impressive link-up play as the half wore on, Jackson Longridge’s interception cutting out a dangerous pass on 32 minutes before Moffat missed the target at the other end.

Garrity was looking to be the home side’s biggest threat, and it took some good defending to keep out his 34th-minute effort.

Lewis McGrattan was unable to get one over on his old team two minutes later, sending his effort curling away from the top corner after some dazzling footwork from Henderson.

Tomi Adeloye headed wide from a 42nd-minute corner, and MacDonald defended well to keep Moffat quiet as Morton ended the half strongly.

The Ton started the second half in similar fashion, Blues’ square pass just going the wrong side of Adeloye two minutes after the restart.

Garrity missed from close range after a cross had picked out his run following a short corner on 48 minutes, and five minutes later McGrattan had his shot well blocked after good work from McGinty and Henderson.

Barjonas, impressive again on the left of midfield, sent a 55th-minute effort just over the bar before James Storer gathered a smart flick from Mochrie.

Melrose saved a Cammy MacPherson strike before McGrattan fired just wide after some strong running on the hour.

Two minutes later the Diamonds were ahead, MacDonald drawing a foul just inside the Morton half. Dean McMaster’s delivery asked questions of the home defence, which McGinty answered with a powerful header which crept across the line after Storer got a hand to the ball.

The home side were screaming for a penalty four minutes after going behind, but referee Chris Graham was unimpressed by Garrity’s tumble in the box.

Gallagher drew a save from Storer before Morton sub Arron Lyall got on the end of a counter-attack, but the former Airdrie loanee sent his low shot just wide of the upright.

Adeloye twice failed to convert from two yards out, first thanks to an unbelievable block from Ross, and then with a poor finish after the resultant corner had fallen to the striker in a similar position.

Barjonas left Ballantyne in his wake with eight minutes remaining, but the Diamonds midfielder’s shot was charged down. As Morton broke, it took a good block from McGinty to keep Michael O’Halloran’s shot out.

Melrose clawed away as a cross ball was headed goalward on 87 minutes, and the Diamonds keeper was on hand to punch out a free-kick in stoppage time.

In the last action of the match, touches from MacDonald and Melrose saw Iain Wilson’s shot turned on to the post, and the final whistle sounded as the loose ball was battered to safety.

It was never going to be pretty on a sodden afternoon, but the Diamonds secured another big three points as the gap to the foot of the table increased a bit more.

Ninth-placed Queen’s Park are next up for Airdrie as the Spiders visit the Albert Bartlett next weekend.