The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Petrie praises his side after derby fightback
Gable Endies come from 2-0 down to draw with Loons
MONTROSE 2 FORFAR 2
Stewart Petrie was the happier of the two managers after his Montrose side fought back from 2-0 down to draw with Forfar in the latest of a host of Angus derbies this season.
Petrie said: “That is the first time we have come from 2-0 down since I took over, so credit to my players for doing that in a derby.
“At 2-0 down I would have taken a point but we could have gone on to win it.
“Craig Johnston had a great chance right at the end which he made for himself. He needed to relax and show some composure as he was off balance.
“Our keeper made a save just before that so the game certainly opened up late on.
“We played better last week at Raith Rovers but the wind did not make things easy.
“I am delighted that Danny Cavanagh got our equaliser. He was out for a year but worked on his game and earned himself a contract.
“Things have turned around for him and he deserves praise for playing a massive part in the game.”
Forfar opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Dylan Easton slipped the ball through and Jamie Bain poked a shot home.
On 20 minutes, Easton had a shot saved by Jordan Millar, then two minutes later the keeper saved a rising shot from John Baird.
Forfar made it 2-0 on 27 minutes. A Graham Webster clearance thwarted the dangerous Easton, but Montrose couldn’t get the ball properly clear and Mark Hill scored from the edge of the box.
A minute later, a Dale Hilson shot forced another save from Millar.
Montrose got a goal back on 30 minutes. A misplaced clearance fell for Webster and he scored with a left-foot drive.
Both sides had chances in the second half. Baird drove over from 30 yards, then Webster headed wide from a corner.
On 70 minutes, Forfar captain Michael Travis made a goal-saving block from Chris Antoniazzi.
The home side levelled on 75 minutes when substitute Cavanagh collected a Terry Masson lay-off and scored with a low drive.
On 83 minutes a Baird volley forced a great save from Millar.
Two minutes into added-time, Johnston took the ball past keeper Marc Mccallum but was held up by covering defenders and shot wide.
Forfar boss Jim Weir said: “We were 2-0 up and controlling the game, although the conditions played a big part. We lost a goal when we should have cleared the ball. We got into some great areas but everything was at 100mph.
“I am frustrated as we work hard with our back five but still make mistakes.
“The way we lost the second goal shows we have a soft centre, but on the positive side it was a point away from home.”
Iam frustrated as we work hard with our back five but still make mistakes. FORFAR MANAGER JIM WEIR