St Johnstone 3 Morton 2

Apr 15 2008

THERE’S been precious little wrong with Andy Jackson’s timing this season and now the striker is closing in on his 20-goal target.

Two quality headers and a late reminder of what Saints have been missing from injured skipper Kevin James ensured the Perth side head for Hampden in fine fettle on the back of a morale-boosting victory.

And the National Stadium would be the ideal setting for Jackson to toast a milestone goal in an impressive rookie season.

This time last year he was an unused sub in Mount Florida. Twelve months on and he has emerged as a key player.

Getting Jackson’s signature on an extended contract earlier in the campaign was an astute bit of business at McDiarmid Park because a 20-year-old goalscorer is a valuable commodity.

The return of James and last term’s player of the year Martin Hardie hinted at involvement, even from the bench, this weekend. Kevin Rutkiewicz and Jody Morris were wrapped in cotton wool for the semi-final.

In league terms this mattered much more to Morton and that showed after the interval, with Saints losing the cohesion and focus which secured a two goal first-half advantage.

Greenock sub Brian Wake cashed in on an uncleared corner to slam home a low shot and then Steven Anderson produced another howler against Morton. Having netted an own goal earlier in the season he was caught turning in the box when Perth-bound Chris Millar dinked in a lob. The upshot was a bizarre volleyball spike, a yellow hard and a crisp penalty conversion from Iain Russell.

Those moments undermined Jackson’s good work. His opener was crafted by an Anderson advance, a slick turn and cross delivered by David Weatherston and a sprightly back post leap and header.

The second, within four minutes, was a precision header guided inside the upright after a surging run and cross from the ever-impressive Liam Craig. It would be a huge boost to next term’s promotion prospects if McInnes can convince the on-loan Falkirk player to hang around.

Morton rarely threatened in the first period although Alan Main was grateful Gary Irvine inadvertently blocked a Finlayson cross.

James headed over from a Paul Sheerin free-kick when he was unmarked.

Strange given the giant skipper can’t sneak under the radar. But five minutes from the end he was again unattended when Craig’s corner picked him out at the near post and this time the defender made no mistake.

Perth fans were taking a close interest in rival midfielder Miller and on this evidence, he looks a sound acquisition.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Stanic, Anderson, James, Craig, Weatherston (Moon 73), Hardie, Jackson (MacDonald 90), Milne (McBreen 83) and Sheerin. Subs not used: McManus and Cuthbert.

Morton: Robinson, MacGregor, McLaughlin (Russell 46), Millar, Greacen, Harding, Finlayson (Stevenson 87), McGuffie, Weatherson (Wake 46), Partalu and McAlister. Subs not used: Walker and McGurn.

Referee: Michael Tumilty.