The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Outstanding effort’ hailed by Petrie
Montrose manager says side will be underdogs but confident for replay
Scottish football’s big guns will be in today’s Scottish Cup fourth-round draw, and Montrose will be in there with them after a fully-deserved draw with Championship side Queen of the South.
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie praised his team and said it was fantastic to still be in the cup.
He said: “I am proud of the boys as it was an outstanding effort.
“Our energy levels were incredible, but we also played football as we got the ball down and knocked it about.
“We got a break at the end when a guy scooped the ball over the bar, but it may have been a foul in the build-up.
“I turned my squad around for the game and I will do the same for the replay on Tuesday. It shows we have good competition for places.
“We will go down there as underdogs, but we go with confidence after this performance.”
Petrie had a special word for Sean Dillon, who marshalled the home defence superbly, saying he plays an invaluable role coaching the players on the pitch.
Montrose had their first chance on 11 minutes when great work by Craig Johnston set up Cammy Ballantyne but he shot into the side netting.
On 24 minutes Connor McLaren robbed Callum Fordyce and Martyn Fotheringham had a drive blocked.
Seven minutes from the break, Johnston headed inches wide from a Fotheringham free-kick.
The full-time visitors probably had the best of the second half.
On 76 minutes Stephen Dobbie fired a free-kick through the defensive wall and Allan Fleming dived to save.
A header from Darren Brownlie was cleared off the Montrose line by Iain Campbell on 90 minutes.
Seconds later Queens should have snatched victory. The ball was crossed from the left and substitute Ross Ferguson missed a sitter when he ballooned a shot over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
Our energy levels were incredible, but we also played football as we got the ball down and knocked it about. STEWART PETRIE