Substance over style will do fine for Petrie

Montrose boss Stewart Petrie admits he will accept substance over style every week just as long as his side are still winning.

The Gable Endies made it back-toback 1-0 victories last week with Craig Johnston again scoring what proved to be the decisive goal against Edinburgh City.

Petrie admits he would like nothing better than for his side to regularly play swashbuckling football but conditions often dictate a different approach.

And with his team now sitting second top of League 2 just two points behind leaders Stirling, he will once more take a pragmatic view when Montrose travel to face a Cowdenbeath side today who parted company with manager Billy Brown earlier this week.

Petrie said: “We are going just fine at the moment and it was another good win last week against Edinburgh City.

“The conditions were difficult but I thought we coped well in the first half into the wind and were comfortable defensively.

“We went with a back three and it seemed to work well.

“In the second half we managed to break them down and it was good to see Craig Johnston get another winner.

“We possibly could have scored one or two goals more but overall I am delighted to pick up another win with another solid performance against a good side in Edinburgh City.”

The manager added: “We are winning games by a single goal which is something we didn’t really do last season and we are obviously keeping clean sheets as well which is pleasing.

“Obviously we would all like to play swashbuckling football with thrilling 4-2 victories but conditions often determine how you have to play and the most important thing is winning.

“Hopefully we can do that again at Cowdenbeath. Billy is a good lad and I felt sorry for him.

“It will have been a difficult week for the club but Cowdenbeath did well against us in the first game this season and we have to be wary as things can change around very quickly.

“However, we are on a good run just now and the lads should go there with confidence.”

Montrose striker Craig Johnston is the Ladbrokes League 2 player of the month. The Gable Endies ace netted four times during the month.