Another title-chaser to test Gable Endies

Montrose face a title-chasing side for the second week running with manager Stewart Petrie hoping that his side fare better when Airdrieonians come calling following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Falkirk.

Petrie explained: “We put in a really good performance at The Falkirk Stadium but lost 1-0.

“They scored a penalty and we then missed a penalty before dominating against 10 men and not being able to force an equaliser.

“On another day we would have taken something from that game and that could have been one point or three.

“It was annoying to lose so it would have been good to get going again on Tuesday night at Stranraer, however that was called off to add to our frustration.

“I would have freshened things up for Stair Park as it is hard for a part-time side to play three very competitive games in a week.

“I had a team in mind for facing Airdrie before the Stranraer game was called off and I will stick closely to that despite the postponement.”

The Diamonds sit third behind the Bairns and leaders Raith Rovers, with Petrie adding: “Airdrie have been consistently good all season.

“Their manager Ian Murray has them going well and they have been in the top three since August as a result.

“They won 1-0 on their last visit to Links Park in a game that was heavily influenced by Sean Dillon’s sending-off in the first half.

“Sean Dillon was dismissed for conceding a penalty that was an incorrect decision. His resulting suspension was overturned on appeal and while Airdrie missed the penalty, they scored a goal late on when we were down to the 10 men.

“We won 3-1 at their place on a day when Blair Lyons scored a couple and a repeat of that result would be a fantastic afternoon’s work.”

The Gable Endies have doubts over the injured Kerr Waddell and Shaun Struthers, who has been ill.