Gretna were clinging on for a replay at the end of a Scottish Cup fourth-round tie which they had looked to have wrapped up inside 50 minutes as they drew 2-2 at Morton.

The hosts fell two goals behind to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's bottom side after Fabian Yantorno and Evan Horwood netted.

But midfield pair Kevin Finlayson and Jim McAlister hit back for Morton with goals in the closing half hour.

'Ton were suddenly the team in the ascendancy but Jim McInally's side were unable to find a winner, despite a spell of late pressure on the Gretna goal.

Morton manager McInally sent his team out in search of an upset, having had to apologise to supporters for last week's 6-1 drubbing by Livingston.

The home side's new signing Ryan McGuffie featured from the start for the Irn-Bru First Division club, aiming to put one over his former side who remain rooted to the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Gretna boss Davie Irons brought in central defender Danny Hall from Shrewsbury in an attempt to shore up his leaky defence and avoid a shock.

Despite Morton's determined start, Gretna were first to come close to opening the scoring.

The ever-dangerous Yantorno broke into the home penalty box after five minutes but from a half-chance his shot flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

Six minutes later Yantorno was more clinical from another chance.

Gavin Skelton capitalised on a midfield mix-up before laying off to the Uruguayan who jinked past goalkeeper David McGurn and passed the ball into the net.

Nicky Deverdics should have made it 2-0 in the 19th minute but a fine save from the right boot of McGurn kept Morton from falling two behind.

Morton had a penalty claim turned away in the 22nd minute when Ian Russell tumbled in the box after close attention from Gretna goalkeeper Tony Caig. Referee Kenny Clark was not interested in the appeals from the home side.

Morton tried to up the tempo with fine creative play by McAlister bringing the home side new hope.

After 30 minutes McGuffie almost levelled the match but Caig was equal to the task, bravely saving from his former club-mate.

Soon again Caig was called into action, this time denying McAlister's header from six yards.

Despite Morton's efforts to restore parity, the half ended with the visitors leading.

Then loanee defender Horwood, playing his final game for Gretna before returning to Sheffield United, scored after 49 minutes to make it 2-0 and the job looked done for the visitors.

Kenny Deuchar's knock-down was cleanly struck by the left-back, giving McGurn no chance.

Morton refused to be beaten though and kept looking for a way back into the match. McAlister and Millar both brought out saves from Caig.

Their first reward came after 64 minutes when Finlayson scored a great goal to give the First Division side a lifeline.

A swerving left-footed shot from the edge of the area stunned Gretna goalkeeper Caig and the match was an open contest once more.

With 14 minutes remaining Morton equalised as McAlister took a shot from 20 yards which appeared to take a deflection on its way into the net, beating Caig.

Midfielder Chris Millar then had a glorious chance to put the home team in front in the 85th minute, but he wasted his effort, crashing the ball into the sidenetting.

As the clock ticked down, both teams looked for the winner, Morton having a succession of corners in injury time, but the score remained tied.

Teams:

Morton McGurn, MacGregor, McLaughlin (Stevenson 50), Smith, Harding, Millar (Greacen 90), Finlayson, McGuffie, Weatherson, Russell, McAlistair.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Graham, MacLeod.

Goals: Finlayson 64, McAlistair 75.

Gretna Caig, Barr, Horwood, Hall, Innes, Murray, Osman (Jenkins 72), Skelton, Deuchar, Yantorno (McGill 54),Deverdics (McLaren 78).

Subs Not Used: Fleming, Canning.

Goals: Yantorno 13, Horwood 49.

Att: 2,848

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).