The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Montrose go north with belief
Gable Endies match Blue Toon at home and aim to ‘give it a shot’ at Balmoor
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie hailed his side after they battled their way to a 1-1 draw at home to Peterhead in their League One play-off semi-final first leg.
The result gives the Gable Endies a real chance of making the final when they head north for the second leg at Balmoor Stadium on Saturday.
Petrie said: “They took the lead with a great goal but it was poor from our point of view. The guy should not be scoring from 40 yards.
“That put us on the back foot but we responded really well and for the next 15 minutes we were excellent.
“They are strong up top and we were hanging on a bit at the end.
“We have given ourselves a chance against a quality side and a quality save from Alan Fleming right at the end kept us level.
“We will go to Peterhead on Saturday and give it a shot and enjoy the occasion.”
Peterhead had the first chance on four minutes when Grant Anderson was denied by Fleming.
The Blue Toon took the lead six minutes later with a spectacular goal when Ryan Strachan met the ball 40 yards out and his drive went in off the post.
Montrose hit back and Graham Webster had a shot blocked before a Matty Allan header was scrambled clear in the 13th minute.
The home side levelled a minute later. A Liam Callaghan free-kick fell to Chris Templeman and the striker beat a defender and slotted home.
Montrose began the second half well and a Gary Fraser shot was turned away for a corner.
On 59 minutes Fraser found himself with Graeme Smith to beat, but shot weakly at the keeper who saved with his feet.
Peterhead striker Rory McAllister had been well marshalled by the home defence, but in stoppage-time he broke clear and Fleming had to make a fine block to deflect the ball for a corner.
Montrose: Fleming, Ballantyne, Pascazio, Allan, Steeves, Webster (Masson 69), Watson (Iain Campbell 80), Callaghan, Smith, Templeman, Fraser (Hay 69). Subs Not Used: Millar, McWalter, Ross Campbell, Ferguson.
Peterhead: Graeme Smith, Craig Reid, Strachan, Ross (Gordon 71), Noble, Stevenson, Scott Brown, Redman, Anderson (McIntosh 74), McAllister, Jordon Brown (Riley 67). Subs Not Used: Ferry, Hobday, Comrie, Allan Smith. Attendance: 1,251 Referee: Mat Northcroft.