Montrose manager Petrie highlights talking points

The Gable Endies are in third place, with 51 points from 30 matches, and aim to keep the chasm between them and nearest chasers Queen’s Park as wide as possible.

At the moment, it’s eight points, and Stewart Petrie’s side want to keep collecting the counters after second-placed Airdrie booked their play-off ticket last weekend by defeating Queen’s Park.

Montrose were beaten 2-1 at home last Saturday by leaders Cove Rangers but Petrie drew on a number of positives to take into this weekend’s visit to Dumbarton, which he knows will be tough.

Mitch Megginson and Fraser Fyvie put the Aberdeen side two up in the first half at Links Park before Craig Johnston gave the hosts hope with a goal seven minutes before half time.

Montrose had possession in the second half but couldn’t restore parity with a levelling score.

“I was disappointed to lose two early goals against a team of Cove’s ability because we spoke about their threat up front,” said Petrie.

“They have real quality but, unfortunately, we couldn’t take them out and we lost two early goals.

“When you give the league leaders two goals of a start, it’s a mountain to climb, but I thought our reaction to going 2-0 down was excellent.

“We had a couple of bodies missing but that’s not an excuse – that’s what a squad is for.”

“But we got back in the game and, in the second half, we probably got more of the ball without really creating any good chances.

"Cove managed the game really well. Paul (Hartley) has a team with great experience right throughout. They haven’t been beaten since October, so that tells you something about how good they are going. It’s remarkable, so fair play to them, they managed the game well in the second half and we just couldn’t get a clear-cut chance to try and get the equaliser.”

This weekend, Montrose will be looking to collect points, while second-bottom Dumbarton will be just as hungry, having lost 2-0 last week at home to Falkirk.

"Every game now is vital for everybody concerned,” observed Petrie. “Whether you’re at the right end or the wrong end, it doesn’t matter – they are all difficult.

"Stevie’s (Farrell) teams always give everything and they are always difficult to play against, so Saturday will be no different – of that I have no doubt. They have beaten us already this season so we know exactly the capabilities of Stevie’s team.

"It’s certainly not going to be easy down in Dumbarton, so we will fully focus now on that. We’ll have a couple of bodies back on Saturday, which will be great, getting another couple back into the main squad.

"We will train hard this week and prepare as best as we can to try and get three points. It’s important that we keep the gap down from third to fourth as much as we can, then just try and gather as many points as we can.”

Petrie said Cammy Ballantyne was still serving a ban, while Michael Gardyne and Aidan Quinn would be available for selection again after suspension.

There was a doubt about ‘keeper Aaron Lennox, who pulled out in last week’s warm-up – making way for Allan Fleming in goal – while Kerr Waddell, Liam Callaghan, Martin Rennie and Graham Webster were likely to be sidelined through injury.