Second-placed Morton kept up the pressure on Third Division leaders East Fife with a hard-fought win over nine-man East Stirlingshire.

It took a freak goal from John Maisano after 22 minutes to secure all three points against a team who have yet to win at home this season.

Maisano fired in a free-kick from wide on the left and both forwards and defenders stood like statues to watch the ball trickle over the line at the back post.

The home side gave as good as they got for most of the game but had no luck in front of goal.

Morton's top scorer Alex Williams came closest to adding to the visitors' advantage, but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Scott Findlay.

The game boiled over in the 83rd minute when East Stirling's Kevin McCann was sent off for a foul on goalscorer Maisano.

Referee Andrew Hunter then reduced the home team to nine men two minutes from time when Sean McAuley was shown his second yellow card.

East Stirlingshire: Findlay, Maughan, McGhee, Clark, Allison, McCann, Sean McAuley, McKay, Kelly, Campbell, Lukowiecki. Subs: Ure, Penman, Leishman, McCulloch, McLeneghan.

Morton: Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, Macgregor, Henderson, Marco Maisano, McDonald, John Maisano, Williams, Cannie, Uotinen. Subs: Gaughan, Hawke, McAlistair, Bannerman, McGurn.

Referee: A Hunter