Many positives for Petrie in defeat

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie praised an “outstanding effort” by his side as they came within three minutes of knocking Championship side Queen of the South out of the Irn-bru Cup.

Montrose led at half-time and were not pegged back until 87 minutes, then two goals in the closing minutes of extra-time got Queen of the South into the draw for the last eight.

Petrie said: “I can’t say enough about my players. That is as good as I have seen Allan Fleming play and he made some unbelievable saves.

“I am sorry for my guys as Queens got their equaliser so late.

“In the first half we more than matched them and if I get that between now and the end of the season we will be fine,” he said.

“We can take a lot of positives from the game, including Terry Masson getting his first league start after injury.”

Montrose should have gone ahead on three minutes. A Masson shot was pushed out by Alan Martin and Connor Mclaren put the rebound wide.

Montrose took the lead on 23 minutes. Andy Steeves went on a run down the left and his pass was fired home by Masson.

Three minutes from the break an Andy Stirling shot was deflected on to the top of the Montrose crossbar.

Queens sent on Lyndon Dykes at half-time and he was quickly in action, forcing superb saves from Fleming with a shot and a header.

Montrose held on gallantly for what would have been a memorable win, but three minutes from time Stephen Dobbie smashed home an equaliser from 20 yards.

Four minutes into extra-time, Connor Murray forced Fleming into a miraculous stop.

A minute from half-time Graham Webster smacked a shot against the Queens bar.

Fleming made another fine save from Dobbie, then Queens grabbed the lead for the first time on 115 minutes when Dykes ran clear unchallenged on a long ball.

A minute into added time, Dobbie got to the line and somehow managed to score off the post from a tight angle.

Picture: SNS. Outstanding: Allan Fleming had a fine game.