WON WITH A BULLET!

Three unbeaten!
By Gary McKenzie
November 8 2003

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 8 November 2003, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 1 (Kerrigan (63)) ALBION ROVERS 0

Montrose's recovery continues with a hard-fought victory over Albion Rovers who have now lost three on the trot.

Montrose found the early part of the game difficult, and Rovers had us pinned back in our own half for long stretches, with a succession of corners. However, Montrose defended resolutely and Scott Michie went close, having one of his best (half) games in a blue shirt.

With the scores deservedly level at half-time, Montrose came out the stronger side in the second, and Gibson was unlucky not to find the net with a clever clip which the Rovers keeper saw late and just managed to touch round the post. Stirling almost opened the scoring for Rovers, rattling a shot against the Mo crossbar after 52 minutes, but it was to be the home side who worked a fine opener. Roddy Black sent over a corner on 63 minutes, which was met perfectly by the head of Stevie Kerrigan and the Rovers keeper had no chance. The home side celebrated with a mass dive a la Stilian Petrov in front of the stand.

Sharp replaced a tired-out Michie and Watt came on for Martin Wood, who had a poor game by his standards - maybe he's not 100% match fit.

The two fresh front men certainly caused Rovers problems without finding the net, and the Mo held on for a well-earned victory.

This result lifts the Mo to seventh place in the league, and we have a great chance to climb further with next Saturday's away match against ninth-placed Elgin City. The game's a 12.45 kick-off because of the Scotland Holland play-off first leg later that day.

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Teams

Montrose: Butter, Donachie, McQuillan, Ferguson, Elliot Smith, Webster, Kerrigan, Gibson, Black, Michie, Wood Subs: Simpson, Farnan, Sharp, Watt, Hankinson

Albion Rovers: Bennett, Paterson, Sweeney, McCaig, Stirling, McAllister, Farrell, McCaul, Mercer, McBride, McManus. Subs: Smith, Diack, Malloy, Valentine, Fahey.

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BBC Sport report