Midweek win moves Montrose into second

Montrose responded ideally to the disappointment of losing to lower league opposition in the Scottish Cup with a midweek league victory which took them into second place and increased their undefeated league run to nine matches.
Terry Masson makes a challenge in Saturday's Scottish Cup replay against Kelty Hearts (picture by Phoenix Photography)Terry Masson makes a challenge in Saturday's Scottish Cup replay against Kelty Hearts (picture by Phoenix Photography)
Terry Masson makes a challenge in Saturday's Scottish Cup replay against Kelty Hearts (picture by Phoenix Photography)

Tuesday night’s match against Airdrieonians managed to beat the stormy weather and saw the Gable Endies win 2-1 at Links Park. Conditions were difficult for both teams but Montrose produced a fine performance with a goal in each half to recapture second spot in the cinch League One table behind Cove Rangers.

The home side opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Craig Johnston directed a cross past Diamonds ‘keeper Max Currie. The Lanarkshire side equalised after 36 minutes after a deceptive corner kick by Kerr McInroy crept in at the post.

Montrose took the lead again midway through the second half as the returning Graham Webster curled home a free kick after Blair Lyons had been brought down by Callum Fordyce outside the area.

The result was the perfect antidote to the weekend’s cup tie loss on penalties to Kelty Hearts and gave Montrose a healthy focus for this Saturday’s league trip to Dumbarton.

Before Tuesday’s match, manager Stewart Petrie said: “It’s always good to get a game as quickly as you can after a defeat so I am sure the boys are champing at the bit to get going and make amends for Saturday.”

While a run into the Scottish Cup beyond Christmas and New Year would have been preferable, the Gable Endies were turning their attention to a busy schedule of four games in 15 days and a bid to garner as many points as they could during that spell.

While their league form had been good, Petrie said there was plenty room for improvement and he would be looking to see if the team could be improved again during the January transfer window.

This Saturday’s visit to Dumbarton Stadium would provide another formidable test, as all matches did, and he added: “Stevie Farrell has built a good squad and they turned us over at home.”

The Sons won 2-1 at Links Park back in August and Petrie said Montrose would be watching tapes of them in action and deciding on the best squad shape before heading west.

Assessments were still being made after Tuesday but Kerr Waddell and Martin Rennie were likely to be ruled out but Terry Masson was back from suspension, while James Keatings and Sean Dillon may be available.

two games very close throughout 180 mins came down to lottery of penalty to split the two teams but that's football we know tha is (cruel elnd) would have been nice to put a cup run maybe a PRem LEague team always nice to be in teh cup beyond Christnmas and New Year

Kelty going great see why gognj so well got so man good players prodigy go gon and win the league then be a very useful addion to teh first division

Cuprun wold ave been godo but doe it help you to focuson the league

I llooke to look at it Iw ould rather be in every singel competition as far as we can opp stay in the comp than lose on pens but got to focus on league and pick up as many poitns as we an four games in 15 days busy shcedule coming up make sue we pick up aa many pioitn sa swe can in that period

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