Petrie hails win and ‘real positives’

After three heavy defeats in the Betfred Cup, Montrose brought smiles to the faces of their fans with a fine performance and a deserved win at home to League One side Alloa.

A delighted boss Stewart Petrie said: “Credit to my lads as they were excellent and there were some real positives tonight.

“I am pleased for the boys as they have taken a couple of skelpings and it was great to win at home.

“The young boys in the middle of the park showed great energy and the back four defended well. We now get a rest before the league starts and I hope to have a few more of my injured players available.

“I only had 10 fit outfield players so Iain Campbell signed a onemonth contract to prove himself and give us cover and three young boys signed contacts to give us some bodies on the bench.

“We were hanging on a bit at the end but I am delighted.”

Montrose made a lively start and Connor McLaren had a shot deflected for a corner, then on three minutes Kerr Hay had a shot turned round the post.

Montrose took the lead on 21 minutes. Kieran Thomson did well to pull the ball back from the line and Hay drove home.

On 36 minutes, Jordan Millar saved at the second attempt from Alloa striker Kris Renton.

Montrose stretched their lead on 50 minutes. Alloa failed to deal with an Iain Campbell corner and Paul Watson shot high into the net.

The home side looked for more and Matty Wallace and Ross Campbell were denied by Craig McDowall.

Alloa gave themselves hope eight minutes from time when Iain Flannigan fired the ball home from the edge of the box, but the home side held on for the remainder of the 90 minutes and four minutes of stoppage-time to claim the points.

Montrose: Millar, Webster, Dillon, Iain Campbell, Steeves, Hay, Wallace, Watson (Macleod 88), Thomson, McLaren (Willox 85), Fraser (Ross Campbell 46). Subs not used: Fleming, Terrell, Hunt.

Alloa: McDowall, Taggart, McKeown, Graham, Meggatt, Hetherington, Grant (Cawley 59), Flannigan, Fleming, Martin (McDonald 77), Renton. Subs not used: Hoggan, Cunningham, Parry, Robertson, Monaghan.