Fairness in short supply as Montrose lose to Raith

LEAGUE 1: Rovers put end to Gable Endies’ unbeaten streak despite hosts’ dominance

MONTROSE 0 RAITH ROVERS 1

Montrose boss Stewart Petrie was left reflecting that football sometimes isn’t fair after his side dominated against League 1 title hopefuls Raith Rovers, only to lose to a solitary second-half strike from Brad Spencer.

Petrie said: “We didn’t deserve to lose that game but we did.

“We were outstanding, especially in the first half and it was a travesty that it was 0-0 at half-time.

“We lost a goal and we changed our shape to get back at them, but I know if I get that level of intensity and effort every week we will be fine.

“We had enough chances to win the game in the first half alone, but ultimately we came up short.

“We had a goal chalked off (for handball by Blair Lyons). The linesman decided it was handball and we have to accept it.

“These things even themselves out.

“That was our first defeat in eight league games and I am disappointed as we always want to win at home.

“We were up against full-time opponents and pushed them all the way. Towards the end we needed a little break in the box, but it wasn’t to be.”

Montrose were on the front foot from the start and on 16 minutes, Graham Webster, Andy Steeves and Lyons were all denied by blocks from the Raith defence.

On 24 minutes, Mohamed Niang was halted by a last-ditch tackle after a flick from Lyons.

Craig Johnston shot wide, then on the half-hour, Lyons had the ball in the net but was thwarted by a handball decision.

Montrose continued to swarm all over their opponents and Ross Munro saved at the feet of Lyons.

Raith grabbed the lead on 69 minutes against the run play in excellent fashion.

Aaron Lennox punched a corner clear and Spencer drilled a 25-yard drive into the bottom corner.

Montrose threw everything forward in the search for an equaliser but with 90 minutes on the clock, Lennox had to save at the feet of Dan Armstrong to deny Raith a second.

Rovers boss John McGlynn said: “This is a hard place to come and I’m delighted to win.

“That was Montrose’s first defeat in eight games and despite not firing on all cylinders we kept a clean sheet and got the goal that mattered for a massive three points.

“That is three clean sheets in a row and if you do that you give yourself a chance.

“It was a good strike by Brad and I’m delighted with our spirit and attitude.

“Ross Munro had a couple of good saves in the first half, but in the second we stood strong and he wasn’t troubled too much.

“I always felt we would score. “We don’t have a 30-goal striker, but I felt a goal would come from somewhere.”

Picture: SNS. Brad Spencer scored the game’s only goal with a 25-yard drive in the second half.