Hegarty wanting ‘big reaction’ after defeat

Montrose boss Paul Hegarty is demanding a big response from his players this afternoon at Stirling Albion after the Gable Endies crashed out of the Irn Bru Cup in midweek.

The Angus side lost 1-0 at the home of Highland League outfit Turriff United on Wednesday night.

The defeat also came at a heavy cost in terms of injuries to two key players who will miss out at Forthbank as Montrose try to secure their first league win at the third time of asking.

Hegarty said: “I was very disappointed in midweek.

“The players had been well warned beforehand that they were in for a physical contest, but Turriff United were better than us in every department and deserved their win.

“You have to battle your corner in every game, and we didn’t do that.

“There is no getting away from the fact that we have not made a good start to the season, and I will be looking for a big reaction at Stirling Albion.

“I was hurting after the Turriff game and I would like to think the players were as well, but they have to make amends.

“We will have Michael Bolochoweckyj back from injury but we suffered two big blows on Wednesday with Chris Templeman and Andrew Steeves both picking up hamstring injuries.

“The physio is still waiting to fully assess the extent of the damage but they will definitely miss the Stirling game.”

Long-term injury victim Chris Hegarty will also be absent.

Big loss: Chris Templeman is out with a hamstring injury.