Shoot-out wins sends Gable Endies through

Montrose knocked Cove Rangers out of the Irn-Bru Cup following a penalty shoot-out at the Balmoral Stadium

A first-half penalty from Iain Campbell was cancelled out by a brace from Paul McManus, before Liam Callaghan dragged the League 1 side level.

Stuart McKenzie and Jordon Brown missed in the shoot-out, with the visitors advancing to today’s second round draw.

Aside from an early long-range effort from Montrose’s Danny Cavanagh which went straight at Stuart McKenzie, the visitors failed to turn their early dominance into goal-scoring chances.

The first 20 minutes for Cove were an exercise in defensive organisation.

Cavanagh was the orchestrator of the Montrose’s best chance on the halfhour, set clear on the left flank by Martyn Rennie and then reversing the ball for Craig Johnston to run on to.

McKenzie was out quickly to tackle but diverted the ball straight to Josh Skelly, who skied over the top.

Last season’s League 2 champions took the lead on 34 minutes as referee Graham Beaton blew for a penalty after Johnston tumbled to the ground and Campbell netted.

The hosts were level a minute before the interval with their first attempt at goal, McManus on hand to smash in the rebound after Jordan Millar parried.

McManus doubled his and Cove’s tally four minutes into the second half, twisting past Campbell before firing in a shot.

Montrose were immediately on the offensive again and only two great stops from McKenzie kept the home lead intact. Skelly’s vicious snap-shot was stopped at the near post before a smart close-range block kept out Johnston’s header from the same spot.

Callaghan restored parity on 69 minutes as he cut in and beat McKenzie with a low shot that crept inside the post.

Campbell, Andrew Steeves, Ross Campbell and Johnston netted for Montrose in the shoot-out, as McKenzie kept out Martyn Fotheringham’s effort. Mitch Megginson, McManus and Jamie Masson found the net for Cove, with McKenzie skewing the third one wide and Millar keeping out Brown to win it.

Cove: McKenzie, Redford, Kelly, Watson, Harry Milne, Emmett (Cameron Milne 46), Brown, Scully (Yule 78), Masson, McManus, Gray (Megginson 70). Subs not used: Strachan, McCafferty, Beattie.

Montrose: Millar, Ferguson, Allan, Cregg, Iain Campbell, Callaghan, Fotheringham, Cavanagh, Johnston, Rennie (Steeves 66), Skelly (Ross Campbell 77). Subs not ued: Redman, Fleming, Webster, Masson, Dillon.

Referee: Graham Beaton.

Iain Campbell: put Montrose ahead with a first half penalty.