Gable Endies boss hoping for more home comforts

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie is hoping that home comforts will help his side see off in-form Dumbarton at Links Park and help keep them out of danger.

The Gable Endies’ hopes of being involved in an unexpected promotion push via the play-offs have taken a knock after two defeats on the road.

Buttheirfirstpriorityisstayingclearof trouble beneath them.

Petriesaid:“itisgoodtobehomeagain as we have not done as well on the road as I would have liked in the last couple of weeks. The Raith game a fortnight ago slipped away from us quite early and whilst we played better against Airdrie last weekend, we were not sharp enough when we created chances.

“It is good to be back at Links Park – however, that does not mean that the points are ours. Dumbarton have improved under Jim Duffy and are on a very good run.

“Lastweekendtheydefeatedarbroath and having spoken to a couple of people who were at the game I am aware that Dumbartonweredeservingoftheirwin.”

Petrie added: “The conditions were not great but Dumbarton did more than enough to get the three points against a team that were unbeaten away from home all season.

“Also in Dom Thomas, Dumbarton have one of the best attacking players in thisleague. Hewillneedcarefulwatching as we want to get winning again.

“Three of our next four games are at home and I want us to make the most of that run. We have been strong at home over the last couple of years and we want things to stay that way. If we can pick up two or three wins from these games then we will move away from the clubs below usandthatremainsourfirsttargetbefore we look at anything else.”

Russell Mclean, who was injured in the first half against the Diamonds, misses out with an ankle problem and joins Mattyallan, Martyn Fotheringham and Craig Johnston on the sidelines.