Goals in the second half from Josh Mullin and Brian Graham helped Ross County to victory against a stubborn Morton at Victoria Park.
The Ton made life difficult for the Staggies in an entertaining encounter in Dingwall but the Staggies kept their composure to wear down their opponents before finding the goals which gave them a 2-0 victory and stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to eight points.
County co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Stevie Ferguson made two enforced changes for the visit of Morton with strikers Billy Mckay and Ross Stewart ruled out due to a broken arm and calf strain respectively.
Fellow forwards Declan McManus and Brian Graham were their replacements in the starting line-up.
County raced out the traps with Keith Watson just failing to connect with Josh Mullin’s corner before Mullin saw his header saved by Ton goalkeeper Roddy McCrorie.
Declan McManus also went close when he volleyed a Kenny van der Weg cross wide but the home side were unable to find a breakthrough before the interval.
County got their reward for their attacking play at the start of the second half.
Michael Gardyne beat Reghan Tumilty in the box before delivering a cross which cleared only as far as Mullin who had time to take a touch before beating McCrorie from 10 yards to give his side the lead.
County secured the points 11 minutes from time when substitute Don Cowie picked out Graham with a fine cross and the striker headed past McCrorie from close range.