Aberdeen scored twice in extra-time to overcome Morton and book a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Gavin Rae had the first half's best chance but could not beat Derek Gaston.

Gaston continued to keep the Dons at bay in the second half and Morton's Archie Campbell had an effort saved by Jamie Langfield.

With penalties looming, Rae headed home in the 109th minute and then set up Scott Vernon for a late second.

The remaining second-round ties take place next midweek, after which Aberdeen will learn their third-round opponents.

And the Dons will be pleased to be in the draw after avoiding the kind of defeat to lower league opposition which has dogged them in recent seasons.

Langfield leapt to his right to keep out Stephen Stirling's long-range shot as Morton asserted themselves early on.

The visitors responded with Ryan Jack's drive stinging the palms of Gaston.

And the Dons should have moved ahead after Ryan Fraser's cross was cleared as far as Rae, who could not beat Gaston from a promising position.

Peter Weatherson was off target with a couple of efforts for Morton before Aberdeen were forced into a change with Chris Clark replacing Stephen Hughes.

Andrew Considine and Peter Weatherson

Morton made life difficult for Aberdeen at Cappielow

The stalemate continued at the start of the second half with Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes and Morton's David O'Brien firing wide.

The visitors began to create the better chances and Rae was close with a shot from the edge of the box before Scott Vernon headed past the post.

Gaston denied Rae twice in the space of a few minutes as Morton continued to be pinned back.

However, Morton almost took the lead against the run of play when Fouad Bachirou released Weatherson's replacement Archie Campbell through on goal and the forward's shot was touched onto the bar by Langfield.

Campbell caused Aberdeen further problems in the closing stages of regulation time but Morton could not convert several openings.

This pattern was repeated in the opening period of extra-time with David Graham's teasing ball across the six-yard line finding no takers.

Morton got plenty of bodies back every time Aberdeen came forward and penalties became an ever more likely outcome.

But Rae finally broke the deadlock when he met Hayes' cross and nodded home his first Aberdeen goal.

And Rae then turned provider as he unselfishly played in Vernon on the break, giving the striker his maiden goal for the season.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Greenock Morton

  • 01 Gaston
  • 03 Dyer
  • 05 Reid Booked
  • 06 McLaughlin Booked (Naismith - 86' )
  • 02 Taggart
  • 04 Bachirou
  • 07 Stirling (Wallace - 60' )
  • 08 Tidser
  • 11 O'Brian Booked
  • 09 Graham
  • 10 Weatherson (Campbell - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 20 Combe
  • 16 Naismith
  • 14 Wilkie
  • 15 Wallace
  • 12 Campbell

Aberdeen

  • 01 Langfield
  • 06 Considine
  • 17 Naysmith (Magennis - 116' )
  • 22 Reynolds
  • 02 Jack
  • 05 Rae
  • 11 Hayes
  • 16 Osbourne
  • 18 Hughes (Clark - 43' )
  • 20 Fraser (Pawlett - 85' )
  • 09 Vernon

Substitutes

  • 30 Rogers
  • 07 Clark
  • 15 Pawlett
  • 21 Magennis
  • 26 Paton
Ref: Brines
Att: 2,817

Match Stats

Shots

11 17

On target

6 9

Corners

9 4

Fouls

10 15

Live Text Commentary

120:00 +0:40

Extra time ends and the match is over.

119:59

Peter Pawlett takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.

115:26 Substitution

Substitution Josh Magennis joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gary Naysmith.

114:18

Assist on the goal came from Gavin Rae.

114:18 Goal scored

Goal - Scott Vernon - Morton 0 - 2 Aberdeen Scott Vernon finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Morton 0-2 Aberdeen.

114:18

The ball is sent over by Scott Vernon,

113:09

Chris Clark has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the target.

111:12

Centre by Michael Tidser, clearance made by Mark Reynolds.

110:25

Michael Tidser takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.

108:48

Assist by Johnny Hayes.

108:48 Goal scored

Goal - Gavin Rae - Morton 0 - 1 Aberdeen Gavin Rae finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Morton 0-1 Aberdeen.

108:48

Johnny Hayes sends in a cross,

106:41

David Graham takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.

105:51

Michael Tidser takes the inswinging corner, Chris Clark makes a clearance.

105:21

Ryan Jack produces a cross, Jason Naismith manages to make a clearance.

105:01

The referee blows to start the second half of extra time.

105:00 +0:28

Isaac Osbourne challenges Fouad Bachirou unfairly and gives away a free kick. Derek Gaston takes the free kick.

105:00 +0:01

David Graham gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Peter Pawlett. Gary Naysmith restarts play with the free kick.

103:24

Isaac Osbourne produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

102:00

The ball is swung over by Gary Naysmith.

100:11

Shot from a long way out by Johnny Hayes goes wide of the left-hand post.

99:42

Peter Pawlett takes a shot. Tony Wallace gets a block in.

98:29

Peter Pawlett crosses the ball.

97:26

Centre by David Graham.

97:13

The ball is sent over by Archie Campbell.

95:47

Chris Clark crosses the ball, Derek Gaston manages to make a clearance.

94:42

Johnny Hayes crosses the ball, Derek Gaston makes a save.

93:25

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes played to the near post, Craig Reid makes a clearance.

93:15

Peter Pawlett produces a cross, Willie Dyer makes a clearance.

92:05

The ball is crossed by Chris Clark.

91:53

The ball is delivered by Ryan Jack.

90:00 +5:51

The match has reached the end of normal time.

90:00 +2:53

Foul by Andrew Considine on Tony Wallace, free kick awarded. Michael Tidser produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

90:00 +1:45

Johnny Hayes is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Craig Reid.

90:00 +0:52

Gavin Rae produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

89:41

Archie Campbell has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

88:59

The ball is swung over by David Graham, Scott Taggart manages to make a clearance.

88:24

David Graham crosses the ball, Andrew Considine makes a clearance.

86:25

Johnny Hayes fouled by Scott Taggart, the ref awards a free kick. Johnny Hayes takes the indirect free kick, The ball is crossed by Craig Reid, Craig Reid manages to make a clearance.

85:00 Substitution

Substitution Jason Naismith replaces Mark McLaughlin.

85:00 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Fraser goes off and Peter Pawlett comes on.

83:50

Ryan Fraser crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Fouad Bachirou manages to make a clearance.

83:50 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Craig Reid for unsporting behaviour.

83:37

Foul by Craig Reid on Ryan Fraser, free kick awarded.

81:24

David O'Brien takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.

80:43

Michael Tidser takes a inswinging corner to the near post.

80:06

Effort from 12 yards by Isaac Osbourne. Save by Derek Gaston.

78:23

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Fraser played to the near post, Craig Reid manages to make a clearance.

76:51

Inswinging corner taken by Michael Tidser, Andrew Considine fouled by Mark McLaughlin, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.

76:24

Effort from 18 yards by Archie Campbell. Save by Jamie Langfield.

75:31

Michael Tidser takes a shot and missed to the left of the net.

74:36

David O'Brien takes a outswinging corner to the near post.

73:32

Gary Naysmith decides to take a short corner, Gavin Rae takes a shot. Blocked by Mark McLaughlin.

72:11

Gavin Rae takes the free kick.

72:11 Substitution

Substitution Peter Weatherson goes off and Archie Campbell comes on.

72:11 Booking

Booking Mark McLaughlin is booked.

72:01

Mark McLaughlin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Johnny Hayes.

69:06

Gavin Rae takes a shot. Save made by Derek Gaston.

68:37

Gavin Rae gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tony Wallace. Mark McLaughlin takes the indirect free kick.

67:35

Centre by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Scott Vernon.

67:00

The ball is crossed by Scott Vernon, Scott Taggart makes a clearance.

66:37

Ryan Fraser challenges Scott Taggart unfairly and gives away a free kick. Derek Gaston takes the free kick.

64:28

Johnny Hayes fouled by David O'Brien, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Fraser from right wing, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance.

64:17

A cross is delivered by Johnny Hayes, clearance made by Craig Reid.

62:29

Effort from the edge of the box by Gavin Rae goes wide of the right-hand upright.

59:33 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Stirling goes off and Tony Wallace comes on.

57:14

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Craig Reid.

56:51

The ball is crossed by Gary Naysmith, Derek Gaston gets a block in.

54:31

Gavin Rae has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area which goes wide right of the goal.

54:09

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.

53:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Clark on Peter Weatherson. Mark McLaughlin restarts play with the free kick.

52:34

Scott Vernon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Reid. Free kick taken by Derek Gaston.

52:20

Gary Naysmith produces a cross, Craig Reid manages to make a clearance.

50:21

Shot by David O'Brien from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

50:09

A cross is delivered by David Graham.

48:33

Peter Weatherson fouled by Isaac Osbourne, the ref awards a free kick. Craig Reid restarts play with the free kick.

47:52

Centre by Willie Dyer.

47:19

Johnny Hayes produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

47:00

The ball is swung over by Ryan Fraser.

46:41

Willie Dyer delivers the ball, save by Jamie Langfield.

46:15

Corner taken left-footed by Michael Tidser, clearance by Scott Vernon.

46:04

David O'Brien sends in a cross, clearance made by Gary Naysmith.

45:34

Scott Vernon is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Craig Reid takes the free kick.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +0:33 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

42:53 Substitution

Substitution Chris Clark on for Stephen Hughes.

40:05

Johnny Hayes takes a shot. Mark McLaughlin gets a block in.

39:32

Isaac Osbourne sends in a cross, Craig Reid makes a clearance.

37:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Weatherson by Mark Reynolds. Craig Reid takes the indirect free kick.

36:45

Isaac Osbourne fouled by Mark McLaughlin, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick.

36:04

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Weatherson by Ryan Jack. Scott Taggart takes the direct free kick.

35:18

Johnny Hayes sends in a cross, Ryan Jack has an effort at goal. Scott Vernon gets a block in.

32:54

Scott Vernon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Reid. Craig Reid takes the indirect free kick.

31:56

Johnny Hayes produces a cross, Unfair challenge on Scott Taggart by Ryan Fraser results in a free kick. Derek Gaston restarts play with the free kick.

30:31

The ball is delivered by Johnny Hayes, Ryan Fraser takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Mark McLaughlin.

28:30

Isaac Osbourne challenges David O'Brien unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark McLaughlin takes the free kick.

26:32

Peter Weatherson takes a shot from 35 yards and missed to the right of the goal.

25:56

Shot from just outside the box by Peter Weatherson misses to the left of the goal.

25:36

Centre by Gary Naysmith, clearance made by Scott Taggart.

23:39

Short corner taken by Craig Reid from the right by-line.

22:45

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Weatherson by Mark Reynolds. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Stirling.

21:38

David Graham takes a shot. Jamie Langfield makes a save.

21:01

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.

20:12

Gavin Rae takes a shot. Derek Gaston makes a save.

20:01

Ryan Fraser sends in a cross, Mark McLaughlin manages to make a clearance.

19:38

The ball is swung over by David Graham, Andrew Considine makes a clearance.

17:00

Unfair challenge on Ryan Fraser by Scott Taggart results in a free kick. Ryan Fraser crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left by-line.

16:18

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Ryan Fraser, Craig Reid makes a clearance.

16:06

The ball is delivered by Isaac Osbourne, Scott Taggart manages to make a clearance.

15:40

Ryan Jack takes a shot. Save made by Derek Gaston.

12:54

Ryan Fraser takes the free kick, A cross is delivered by Peter Weatherson,

12:54 Booking

Booking The referee cautions David O'Brien for unsporting behaviour.

12:38

David O'Brien gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Isaac Osbourne.

12:25

Scott Vernon produces a cross, clearance made by Scott Taggart.

11:24

Michael Tidser is adjudged to have handled the ball. Andrew Considine takes the indirect free kick.

9:12

Michael Tidser takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Andrew Considine.

7:38

Stephen Hughes concedes a free kick for a foul on Fouad Bachirou. Craig Reid takes the free kick.

6:40

Willie Dyer gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Fraser. Free kick taken by Isaac Osbourne.

6:06

Corner taken right-footed by Stephen Stirling from the right by-line to the near post, Isaac Osbourne manages to make a clearance.

5:35

Stephen Stirling takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.

3:54

The ball is crossed by Scott Taggart, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance.

3:25

The official flags Peter Weatherson offside. Mark Reynolds takes the free kick.

1:55

Ryan Jack concedes a free kick for a foul on Peter Weatherson.

0:00

The game begins.

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