‘Right attitude’ pays off for Petrie’s men

MONTROSE 4 UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING 1

It was a case of job done for Montrose manager Stewart Petrie as his men eased their way past Stirling University and into the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Petrie said: “Overall, I am happy. In the middle period of the game we let them score and it knocked the wind out of our sails a bit.

“We were still in control but, with the score 2-1, the game was in the balance until we got our third.

“Credit to Stirling as they scored a super goal and battled away.

“My players showed the right attitude and got on the front foot from the start. We showed them the utmost respect as we know the importance of the Scottish Cup.

“We could have been further ahead before they scored, and a third goal would have relaxed us further.”

Montrose opened the scoring on 12 minutes. Chris Templeman headed the ball on, and Craig Johnston ran in to smash it home.

It was close to 2-0 three minutes later, when a cross was headed out by Stirling’s defence and Connor McLaren volleyed against the post.

Montrose did score a second on 20 minutes when an Iain Campbell corner was headed home on the near post by Johnston.

University rocked Montrose by scoring on 35 minutes. Chris Geddes slipped the ball to David O’Brien for a fine finish.

A minute later Templeman headed home a McLaren cross but was given offside.

Montrose gave themselves breathing space on 56 minutes, when a free-kick was tapped for Campbell to score from 20 yards.

Montrose substitute Gary Fraser had a point-blank header saved by Kevin Walker.

Fraser got his goal three minutes later when he volleyed home a Johnston cross.