JOHNST-ON TARGET TO SAVE A POINT

By Gary McKenzie
October 26 2002

Scottish League Division 3. Saturday 26 October 2002, Links Park, Montrose. Montrose 2 (Kerrigan (47), Johnston (84) East Stirlingshire 2 (Boyle (73), McAuley (76))

The match started scrappily and both sides struggled to settle. The best chances of the game came in the final minutes of the first half, when Kevin Webster hit the bar from a well-struck free-kick, then Shire were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when their striker was upended in the box. otherwise the game was spoiled by too many high balls upfield by both teams.

Montrose wasted no time in putting their firsthalf display right and a corner was awarded after some nice passing up the right wing. Kevin Webster drove a low one to the edge of the box where Kerrigan hit a first time sweet shot into the net - one from the training ground after 47 minutes. The Gable Endies made the mistake of thinking the game was over as Colin McDonald was sent on in place of the tired-looking Robbie Henderson and, inexplicably, Ray McKinnon was sent on in place of Chris Webster who had had a good game. East Stirling scored on 73 minutes when Boyle did well to fire the ball past Campbell from the edge of the box. He was so delighted, he injured himself in the celebrations and had to be substituted.

Montrose were stunned when McAuley made it 2-1 to Shire 3 minutes later when he latched on to a loose ball, and fired in a low drive through a ruck of players.

Gilzean was sent on in place of Keith Gibson as Sheran made his last throw of the dice and it paid off as Johnston stabbed the ball home to equalise on 84 minutes.

A draw snatched from the jaws of defeat, but it still feels pretty awful.

Elgin drew so we remain in eighth spot behind them.

Mo Team
Campbell
McCheyne
Ferguson
Christie
McQuillan
Gibson
K Webster
Johnston
C Webster
Kerrigan
Henderson

Footnote: Interesting to note that 2 ex-Gable Endies, John Allison and Kevin Tindal, scored in the 3-3 top of the table clash between East Fife and Peterhead today. Bet it was a better match than ours!