Petrie full of praise as winning run extends

Montrose boss Stewart Petrie praised the resilience of his side as they beat Stranraer to make it four successive league victories.

Montrose took just one point from their first seven games, but their four-in-a-row heroics have seen them climb to seventh in League One.

Petrie said: “Five weeks ago we wouldn’t have won that game.

“At 1-1, things could have gone either way but credit to my lads as they showed the spirit necessary to grab the win.

“I can’t emphasise how difficult it is to win four in a row in this league. We carried a bit of luck today, whereas earlier in the season we didn’t carry much at all.

“Stranraer are a good side who fight for everything. Our reaction to their equaliser was excellent and a lovely strike into the corner from Cammy Ballantyne won it for us.

“I have now selected the same starting 11 four times in a row and I haven’t done that previously in my time at the club.

“We will not rest on our laurels and will be back in on Tuesday to prepare for another difficult fixture next Saturday.”

The win takes Montrose six points clear of bottom-markers Stranraer, but the gaffer says it is too early to focus on that.

“Stranraer will turn their results around. It is a tight league and you never know what you are going to get. If you play well, you give yourself a chance.”

Montrose had the ball in the net on three minutes when Graham Webster headed home but the flag was up for offside.

Montrose took the lead on 17 minutes. Another corner from midfielder Ballantyne was headed on by Watson and Sean Dillon was unmarked as he tapped home.

Stranraer levelled on 71 minutes. A close-range effort from Scott Robertson was kept out by Aaron Lennox and James Hilton forced the ball over the line.

On 75 minutes, right-back Cammy Ballantyne surged forward and forced a diving save from Currie.

But Ballantyne enjoyed better luck nine minutes later when he collected a pass from Mohamed Niang and smashed home a low drive.