Penalty problems mount for Fifers

Darren Young was frustrated to again spend his postmatch press conference discussing decisions given against East Fife.

The Methil men had a penalty awarded against them for the third Saturday in a row as Montrose came from two down to secure a deserved draw at Bayview.

Young’s side had to start the L eague One game without the suspended Aaron Dunsmore and Danny Denholm who were both sent off the previous weekend at Cove.

And the Fife boss believes major decisions are just going against his side at the moment.

He said: “We’re back to talking about referees and penalty kicks which I don’t want to be doing but that’s three weeks in a row now.

“I’ve spoken to one or two of their players and they say it was very soft.

“Craig Watson went over to their guy and just stood and then he’s gone down.

“I’ll watch it back on the video but if it’s another mistake then we can’ t control that.

“But, at the same time, at 2-1 we had one or two chances to get to 3-1 but couldn’t find that killer pass and they also cleared one off the line.”

Both sides went into the second game of the league season on the back of 3-1 defeats.

Getting something on the board was crucial to both, and it was the visitors who made the better start.

Paul Watson had an early sight of goal but couldn’t find a way past Brett Long.

Stewart Petrie’s visitors had a strong claim for a penalty snubbed when Graham Webster went down under pressure from Pat Slattery.

East Fife managed to work their way into the game and took the lead in stunning style when Jack Hamilton lashed home from the edge of the box.

Barely a few minutes had passed before the Fifers made it 2-0.

Kevin Smith managed to get in behind the Montrose defence and sent a neat lob over Aaron Lennox.

Montrose could consider themselves unlucky to be two down, but responded in just the right manner and pulled one back before the break, Lewis Milne finishing off a Craig Johnston cross.

The goal gave Mo a shot in the arm and they went in search of the equaliser in the early stages of the second half. But East Fife were defending well and frustrating their visitors.

Montrose did eventually get the game’s fourth goal when Watson was judged to have tripped Cammy Ballantyne inside the box.

The decision l o o ke d harsh, but Webster showed no mercy and beat Long from the spot.

Both sides had decent chances to win the game, Hamilton hitting the bar for East Fife and Ross Campbell unlucky from close range for Montrose.

Montrose boss Petrie said: “It was another entertaining game against East Fife, they always seem to be like that.

“I’m delighted to get a point after being 2- 0, it shows great character.

“Getting that goal just before half-time was vital because East Fife had a chance to make it 3-0.

“We started the game brilliantly and should have been ahead.

“We missed a few good chances which we need to be taking and it can bite you – and it did.”