Petrie hails his team’s ‘amazing’ character

MONTROSE 2 STIRLING ALBION 1

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie praised the character of his side as they fought back from a goal down to beat Stirling Albion and consolidate their position at the top of League Two.

“We were outstanding in the second half and the character we showed was amazing,” Petrie said.

“We were brave and took chances. We pushed people up, and towards the end Sean Dillon was our only defender.”

There was controversy on 72 minutes when Willie Robertson went down in the box in a challenge with Dillon but the referee booked the attacker for diving.

Petrie said: “I do not think it was a dive, but I know that if they had gone 2-0 up there would have been no way back.

“It was a team effort, but Chris Templeman was still running up front after 90 minutes and Martin Rennie came on and gave us a great 45 minutes.

“It was a massive result for us and we go to play our closest challengers Peterhead next week.

“It is not all that important to be top at this stage, it is more important to maintain the gap between us and the chasing sides.

“Peterhead have been better than us in the two games so far. We stole a point up there and they got it spot on when they won here just before New Year.”

Stirling took the lead on 14 minutes when Darren Smith ran at the heart of the home defence and scored with a drive which went in off the crossbar.

Templeman fired a shot over on 21 minutes, then Stirling almost stretched their lead on 31 minutes when a Peter Mcdonald shot was half stopped by Allan Fleming who just managed to claw the ball back before it crossed the line.

On 63 minutes Ewan Mcneil made a goal-saving clearance from a dangerous Rennie cross.

Three minutes after the Stirling penalty claim, Montrose got back on level terms. Terry Masson and Rennie both had shots saved by Cameron Binnie and finally Craig Johnston shot home.

Montrose pushed for a winner and got it on 82 minutes when a Martyn Fotheringham corner was headed home by Matty Allan.

Picture: SNS. Stewart Petrie praised his side’s spirit.