After 133 years Stranraer FC have finally made it into the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, all thanks to goals from Paul Kerr and Ian Harty at a busy Cappielow Park.

Both teams settled into the match well. Stranraer began to create some decent attacks and there were muted shouts for a penalty when a Stephen Marshall near post cross appeared to be handled by Derek Collins but referee Willie Young waved away claims suggesting it was accidental. Stranraer almost drew first blood in the first ten minutes when Kevin Gaughan came close with a glancing header at the back post. Unfortunately, the ball passed inches wide of the post.

Morton midfielder Marco Maisano kept up the pressure in the middle of the park and it took the Stranraer midfield and defence quite an effort to shut him down. Marco's brother John had Morton's first real attempt on goal midway through the half when his 25 yarder flew over the bar. Morton had another flowing move when top scorer Alex Williams burst through the Blues' defense, only to be bundled off the ball by a quickly reacting Dexi Wingate.

At the other end of the park Ian Harty showed his pace and danger when he ran clean through on goal following a searching through ball by Fraser Wright. Harty managed to get his powerful shot from the edge of the box on target forcing 'keeper Craig Coyle to make a great stop.

Minutes later Stevie Aitken's flighted in an inch perfect cross to the feet of Kevin Gaughan. Gaughan should have done better, but his pile driver of a volley went sailing over the bar for a goal kick. Bad miss.

Fraser Wright, Kevin Gaughan and Ian Harty in action at Cappielow. © SNS

In the 32nd minute Stranraer finally took the lead thanks to Paul Kerr. Aitken drifted the ball into the box from corner, Jenkins header was blocked on the line and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble Paul Kerr nipped in to strike the ball hard and high into the Morton net.

Despite a response from Morton after the goal which included a Henderson header being booted clear by Gaughan, the home team could not crack the Stranraer defence.

Stranraer started the second half in the same fashion as the first, with probing attacks.

With only seven minutes of the half gone the Blues got their second goal, through Ian Harty. Maisano unnecessarily handled a deep cross from Aitken. If the ball had reached Hodge at the back post he would have had still alot to do. Memories of Anton Rogan spring to mind. Harty stepped up to fire the ball past Coyle into the net sending him the wrong way.

After this Stranraer seemed to sit back and play on the counter attack, while Morton hoped to get a goal to bring them back into the contest. Morton made a few subsitutions and this seemed to bring new life into their side. Scott Bannerman and Williams forced John Hillcoat into two fine saves. Stranraer rarely threatened late on. Although Ian Harty went close and so did Sandy Hodge. However the damage was done and the Blues held on for a comfortable and deserved 2-0 victory and a place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup - the first time in their history.

STRANRAER MOM- Ian Harty. Mighty-mouse scored his third goal in a week in a performance which shows just how dangerous the striker is. Mentions also to Allan Jenkins, Stevie Aitken, Kevin Gaughan and John Hillcoat. Mind you it was good all round team showing.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE- Not one of our best performances but a vast improvement compared with the third round tie against Forfar on Monday. The Blues will still have to raise their play if they hope to give a good account of ourselves in the quarter finals.

Attendance: 3,679