Morton missed the chance to go top of the Third Division as they were held to a goalless draw at Elgin.

Dave McPherson's side were without top scorer Alex Williams and it showed as they failed to seriously threaten their struggling hosts, yet to win in the league in 2003.

Morton's best chance fell to young striker Jim McAlistair a minute before the break, but after breaking clear of the home defence he lobbed inches over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Visiting goalkeeper Craig Coyle made good first-half saves from Dave Ross and Kevin Steele and got down well to keep out Mike Sanderson's second-half header.

City wasted a glorious chance to steal all the points late on when Ross' header was touched onto the top of the crossbar by Coyle.

Elgin: Hamilton, Teasdale, Gallagher, Hind, MacKay, Tully, Ross, James, McMullan, Steele, Sanderson.

Subs: Campbell, McBride, Rattray, Love, A Trialist.

Morton: Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, Macgregor, Henderson, Marco Maisano, McDonald, John Maisano, Cannie, Hawke, McAlistair.

Subs: Gaughan, Bannerman, Uotinen, Adams, McGurn.

Referee: G Clyde