The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Petrie makes case for his defence in derby victory
Gable Endies boss pleased to see his side bounce back
MONTROSE 2 FORFAR 0
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie hailed the defensive display of his side as they got the better of Angus rivals Forfar.
The result leaves the Loons third in League One, behind Raith Rovers on goal difference, with Montrose in fifth, now just five points adrift of their neighbours.
Petrie said: “We showed today that we don’t have to attack all the time.
“Our counter-attacking was really good and we created several chances.
“Forfar are a really good side and we knew we had to match them physically.
“That is why we brought in Terry Masson and Jamie Redman and they were outstanding.
“I freshened up the team and it was good to bounce back from last week’s result.
“Craig Johnston got injured early on, just when he was looking very sharp, but everyone played their part.
“We are three points behind East Fife in fourth, but we are just trying to get away from the bottom.
“Things are very tight and you really have to be at it if you want to win a game.
“There is no better front pair in the league than Forfar’s Dale Hilson and John Baird.
“They have great experience and movement and we spoke a lot this week about what we needed to do.”
Forfar went close on 12 minutes. A quick free-kick got the ball to Hilson and he smashed a shot off the angle of post and bar.
Montrose took the lead on 21 minutes. Darren Whyte gave the ball away and Redman ran forward before releasing Johnston to supply a cool finish.
On 40 minutes, Baird put a header just over the Montrose crossbar.
Forfar had a lot of the ball in the second half but it was Montrose who had the better chances.
Euan Henderson had a shot saved on 69 minutes, then six minutes later Martin Rennie was crowded out at the expense of a corner.
A fierce drive from Graham Webster was saved by Marc McCallum, then Michael Bolochoweckyj headed over.
Montrose clinched the points on 88 minutes. Henderson was brought down by Baird and Rennie scored from the spot.
A minute into added time Forfar’s Tom Reilly, who was booked in 69 minutes, was sent off after an off-theball incident.
Montrose ended the game on the front foot and Henderson had a shot deflected wide, then from the corner Rennie had a header saved.
Forfar manager Jim Weir said: “I am disappointed as we have been on a great run. A mistake cost us a goal and that allowed them to defend in numbers.
“We had too much possession in the wrong areas. They had everyone behind the ball and we had no space.
“We have not created enough and didn’t get any breaks in the box.
“You could argue about the penalty they got late on, but we could have played all night and not scored.
“On the plus side we have not lost any ground to the teams around us.
“Where we finish is in our own hands. We must show a positive reaction at home to Stenhousemuir in our next game.”