Hegarty left to rue defensive lapses

BERWICK RANGERS 2 MONTROSE 1

Montrose manager Paul Hegarty was disappointed to see his side open their Division Two campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Berwick on Saturday.

“We played OK in phases, but in general Berwick were the better side when they had the ball in our box,” he said.

“The manner of the two goals we lost was disappointing. They both came from crosses and that’s something we will have to work on, because we don’t want to be in the same position we were last season.

“At the moment we need to strengthen the squad and I am still looking to bring in three or four new players, although some of them might be on loan.”

Berwick striker Blair Henderson bagged a goal in each half as Rangers edged out Montrose, who equalised through Paul Watson midway through the first period.

The hosts took the lead after 12 minutes when Finn Graham dinked a cross in from the left and Henderson guided the ball past Ross Salmon into the bottom corner.

Montrose equalised after 20 minutes when Watson netted from the penalty spot after Dwayne Coultress committed a clumsy foul in the box.

After 23 minutes Watson went close to a second for the visitors when Kevin Walker clawed away a shot from outside the box, while at the other end, Michael McKenna saw his shot blocked by Salmon.

Graham then had a shot saved by the keeper and a Darren Lavery header was cleared off the line.

Watson had a shot saved by Walker and Matty Allan headed wide from a free-kick right on the stroke of half-time.

Five minutes into the second half, Andrew Steeves’ volley looked destined for the top corner but Walker pulled off a tremendous save at full stretch.

Henderson headed Berwick back in front after 71 minutes and the Borderers held out to take all three points.

Paul Watson: scored penalty for Montrose.