Boss has ‘no excuses’ as Gable Endies are demolished at home

MONTROSE 0 AIRDRIEONIANS 3

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie was in no mood to make excuses as his side collapsed at home to Airdrie to remain bottom of League One.

Petrie said: “That was a poor performance and we have no excuses, although their keeper had to make a few good saves.

“We had an early chance (through Graham Webster) and I can’t believe it didn’t go in.

“I don’t know whether it was a penalty for their first goal, but the referee was a lot closer than we were.

“The first goal is crucial at this level, but that is as poor as we have been at home and I have no complaints about the result. We are giving away soft goals. Their second was from a punt upfield which we couldn’t deal with and we went in 2-0 down.

“Martin Rennie had an unbelievable chance at the start of the second half and he had to score.

“I knew this division would be hard, it is a step up for us but we will keep working and keep learning.”

Montrose had the first chance on four minutes when Webster met an Iain Campbell corner on the far post and his close range volley was blocked.

The home defence looked shaky early on and Dale Carrick shot just wide, then Ryan Conroy was denied by Jordan Millar.

Airdrie took the lead on 19 minutes. Danny Cavanagh was judged to have fouled Carrick and Darryl Duffy scored from the spot.

Worse was to follow for Montrose on 36 minutes when they struggled to deal with a long ball and Duffy ran in to score.

Rennie went on for Montrose at half-time and should have scored with his first touch but he failed to get enough on his effort and David Hutton saved.

On 56 minutes, Carrick smashed a shot off the Montrose post.

At the other end, Webster went on a run and his netbound shot was cleared over his own bar by Jonathan Page. Airdrie sealed the points on 80 minutes. Carrick cracked a shot off the bar and Joao Vitoria tapped home the rebound.