Fifers’ first-half double secures win over luckless Gable Endies

MONTROSE 0 EAST FIFE 2

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie was left shaking his head as his side lost two early goals for the second successive week and crashed to defeat at the hands of East Fife.

Petrie said: “Losing early goals is becoming a trend and it is killing us. We created plenty of chances but we just couldn’t get back into the game.

“We had more balls into the box than we have done all season, but we can’t go two goals down and try to flick a switch.

“Their keeper made an unbelievable triple save which would have graced any league and made a few other good stops, but in reality we left ourselves too much to do.

“I didn’t expect it to be easy and I will keep mixing my players around until I get the right blend.”

Montrose had the first chance on three minutes when a Terry Masson drive was parried by Brett Long.

East Fife grabbed the lead on 19 minutes. The ball broke to Ross Davidson 22 yards out and he sent a screamer high into the net.

The visitors rocked the home side still further on 27 minutes. A drive from Scott Agnew was saved by Allan Fleming and Johnny Court followed up to score.

Montrose almost gave themselves a lifeline on 43 minutes. A header from Jamie Redman played in Martin Rennie and Long made a fine save.

Montrose continued their search for a goal and on 70 minutes a shot from Masson was deflected wide.

On 80 minutes, Long made a triple save, denying Chris Antoniazzi and Rennie twice.

East Fife had chances to add to their tally and on 84 minutes, Pat Slattery had a header tipped over by Fleming, then the keeper saved from Davidson.

Just to underline that it wasn’t Montrose’s day, on 90 minutes, Masson headed against the bar and a follow-up from Euan Henderson was cleared off the line by Craig Watson.

East Fife boss Darren Young said: “We deserved our win, although we rode our luck a bit near the end.

“We invited pressure on ourselves and we were nervous having not had a league victory.

“We scored two good goals and could have had another couple.

“It was a great strike by Ross Davidson and it was good to see Courtie getting a goal as well.

“That is us off and running and we will look forward to the cup tie against Partick Thistle and a free hit against them.”