Links Park manager frustrated by loss of scrappy early goal

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie was left bemoaning the loss of a scrappy early goal as his side went down to Thistle.

The goal came on six minutes. A Joe Cardle corner was headed goalwards by Ross Docherty and when Alan Fleming kept the ball out, Connor Murray scrambled it over the line.

Petrie said: “We put a lot into the game but we lost a bad goal. That is happening too often lately and you can’t give a good team a goal of a start.

“We should not be conceding like that. It w a s n’ t even a good delivery. It left us chasing the game against opponents who moved the ball well.

“I’m happy with the way we played and I enjoyed the game as a spectacle.

“We had our chances to score through Andy ( Steeves) and Russell (McLean) with a header.

If my team give me the same level of performance and energy every week we will be all right.”

On 12 minutes, Lewis Milne went close for Montrose with a low drive which was saved.

Thistle appealed for a penalty when Kerr Waddell tangled with James Penrice, but a freekick was given the other way.

An angled drive from Docherty was cleared off the line by Waddell and two minutes later great play by Chris Mochrie saw Steeves cross for McLean to head wide.

On 67 minutes, Craig Johnston, just on as a substitute, set up Steeves and his shot flew over.

Shea Gordon headed wide for Thistle and a Graham Webster drive was tipped over by Jags keeper Kieran Wright. From the corner, Ross Campbell headed over.

Montrose threw everything forward in the closing stages and four minutes from time had a big penalty appeal when a Cammy Ballantyne shot appeared to strike a hand.