Gable Endies are undone despite the class of Cochrane
Lafferty (6), Burke (24), Kiltie (61) MONTROSE 1 Harry Cochrane gave notice that he can still have a big future when he leaves Hearts.
The 19-year-old midfielder has rejected a new contract at Tynecastle and is looking for a fresh start in football next season.
He’s currently on loan at Montrose and showed his class as part of the team that put up a spirited fight against Kilmarnock yesterday.
Cochrane has clearly lost none of the ability that made him such a talked-about talent when he burst into the Jambos’ first-team twoand-a-half years ago.
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie is certain he won’t find himself playing with part-timers for much longer.
He said: “Harry Cochrane had been out for four or five weeks but I thought he was outstanding.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he can play top-flight football.
“Anyone watching him would see all they need to. Despite missing more than a month, he gave us a great level of energy and ability on the ball.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he can play top, full-time football. I’m really proud of the boys. They were brave and passed the ball well.”
The chances of Petrie’s lads creating a cup shock certainly hadn’t been helped by having only a 39-hour turnaround after their 5-0 League One defeat by Partick Thistle.
To their credit, the Gable Endies showed bags of energy from first to last in this 11.45 kick-off.
They were particularly lively after the break when, already being two down, it would have been easy to accept the tie was beyond them.
The visitors had two very good chances to score before Killie hit the net for a third time and ended the contest.
Even then, Montrose kept fighting and got the goal they deserved.
Lewis Milne was through on goal just after half-time when he took advantage of Medley dwelling on the ball.
He tried to dink the ball over Doyle but only managed to hit the goalkeeper with his effort.
On-loan Dundee United midfielder Chris Mochrie then had an opportunity near to goal but couldn’t get the ball under control.
Russell Mclean also passed up an opening in the first half when he shot wide from close range.
It was such a shame there were no Montrose fans present to sing “there’s only one Cammy Ballantyne” when the full-back hit the net near the end.
There aren’t fans who could have resisted that opportunity, particularly as the League One side had two men called Cammy Ballantyne on the pitch.
Cammy F. Ballantyne had come on as a substitute for team captain Paul Watson just before half-time.
Kilmarnock took the lead when Montrose goalie Allan Fleming chased Kiltie out to the edge of the box and the midfielder crossed for Lafferty to stroke home.
The home side’s second came when Burke shot from the right wing. It might have taken a touch off defender Andrew Steeves but was already net-bound.
Kiltie made it three when Lafferty blocked an attempted clearance from the keeper and it fell nicely for his team-mate.
Kilmarnock boss Tommy Wright was pleased to be through to face St Mirren at home on Saturday but warned his players they have to stop being slack in defence.
He said: “I don’t think anyone in could say they played to their maximum ability. We gave them opportunities and if we give that to Lawrence Shankland when we play Dundee United on Wednesday, it might be a different story.”