Morton fell victim to two superb examples of the striker's art from Brechin's Paul Hampshire as the league leaders stretched their lead to five points.
'Ton had the better of the opening exchanges and had two opportunities to take the lead. Craig Nelson sprinted from his line to beat Jason Walker to a through ball but couldn't hold the ball. Walker retrieved it and crossed for Jim McAlistair, but Steven Hamilton raced back to prevent a goal with a splendid tackle.
Then Chris Templeman released Paul Walker down the right flank with a clever flick, but Jason Walker was unable to inject sufficient power into his header from the cross and Nelson saved without anxiety.
Brechin's first attempt took 28 minutes, Stuart Callaghan firing in an angled drive straight at David McGurn, but the spectators were not seeing much goalmouth action.
Hamilton had to retire after McAlistair accidentally kicked him in the face as he attempted an overhead clearance. City regrouped, and a Graham Gibson shot which spun off McAlistair and forced David McGurn into a back-pedalling save indicated that the visitors were growing in assurance.
Hampshire's first goal came after Nelson had punted a free-kick from well in his own half. Paul Ritchie headed the ball down and Hampshire reacted sharply to volley the ball past McGurn from 12 yards.
Morton's John Adam hammered in a drive from 30 yards which was destined for the top corner of Nelson's net until the 'keeper soared magnificently to turn the effort over the bar.
When McGurn couldn't hold Kevin Byers's shot and Hampshire coolly curled the ball into the far corner from 14 yards, the crowd of 3,002 decreased significantly.