Ayr United passed their biggest test of the season so far as their whirlwind start to the Championship continued at Cappielow this afternoon.
Goals in either half from Dipo Akinyemi and Mark McKenzie secured another three points and maintained the unbeaten run of Lee Bullen's men.
The Honest Men were forced to withstand plenty of Morton pressure - including a nervous final 10 minutes following Robbie Muirhead's goal - but came through to win.
And head coach Bullen insisted the victory - and the manner of it - said plenty about the character in his ranks.
He said: "It's the biggest three points of the season for us.
"You know what you're going to get coming here. Dougie Imrie really has his players working for him and it was a case of us having to do the basics right.
"It wasn't a game for the connoisseur, maybe, but it was a good Scottish Championship contest where sleeves had to be rolled up.
"I'm absolutely delighted for my players to come out the other end of it with three points.
"We had the tin hats on at the end and while the players have taken a lot of external plaudits for their style of football until now this season, today they will get plaudits for different reasons.
"They had to knuckle down and scratch for everything and stand up to Morton and not a lot of teams will be able to do that at Cappielow this season.
"I'm also ecstatic for Mark McKenzie to get his goal after all the hard work he's been putting in.
"And the fans, who were brilliant up here in big numbers again, will have enjoyed seeing the players fight for that badge on their chest today."
Ayr had gone with the same team which beat Dundee last week with new signings Josh Mullin and Brad Young settling for places on the bench.
But from the off they were in a real contest and former United man Robbie Crawford drew a great stop from Charlie Albinson as 'Ton pushed for the opener.
Daire O'Connor fired just over as Ayr looked to hit on the break but it was the hosts who looked the more likely during the opening half hour.
However, Ayr stood firm and when their chance came it was that man Akinyemi who grabbed it with both hands.
Morton failed to properly clear a United corner and when the ball was eventually recycled to the edge of the box, Akinyemi shifted the ball on to his left foot before slotting home the coolest of finishes.
Ayr needed skipper Andy Murdoch to twice come to their rescue before the break - first with a clearance on the line and then with a last ditch tackle - as Morton pressed for the leveller.
Albinson then came up big again at the start of the second half as he denied Jaze Kabia with 'Ton pressing hard to get back in the game.
Bullen then called for fresh legs from his bench with Mullin and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson adding an extra dimension down both flanks.
And they almost doubled their lead when Frankie Musonda rose to head a Ben Dempsey corner inches wide.
But then came the goal which proved the clincher as Akinyemi turned provider following patient build up as his ball into the box was knocked home at the near post by McKenzie.
Morton set up a grandstand finish when Muirhead bundled home following a scramble in the box but Ayr were able to see it out and enjoy the celebrations at time up in front of the travelling support.
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