Another four-goal thrashing will be a worry for Montrose

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Montrose suffered another worrying wobble with a heavy defeat against a Queen of the South side who were worthy winners in a onesided encounter at Palmerston Park.

Just three weeks after conceding four goals at Airdrie, Stewart Petrie’s team went down by the same margin.

Although they retain their place in the top four, the Links Park men may be looking nervously over their shoulders at the two teams who inflicted these defeats.

The Gable Endies made the worst possible start when Ruari Paton rose unchallenged to head Calvin Mcgrory’s corner firmly into the net after just five minutes.

Having already threatened through Iain Wilson and Mcgrory, the Doonhamers were worthy of their lead.

The visitors almost hauled themselves level soon after, but Michael Gardyne’s header was saved by Max Currie before Rory Mcallister fired narrowly wide as Montrose enjoyed a promising spell.

But they were punished for failing to convert possession into goals when Queens doubled their lead on the halfhour, Paton firing in his second with a high effort that gave Ross Sinclair no chance following good work by Gavin Reilly.

The same two players combined as Montrose’s task became an impossible one on the restart. Paton was this time the provider with a cross that Reilly headed firmly home.

Mcallister almost reduced the deficit with a shot that fizzed wide of an upright, before Josh Todd added to the Gable Endies’ woes with a fourth goal, heading in a cross from Lewis Gibson.

Montrose were given a glimmer of hope when Rico Quitongo was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.

There were still more than 20 minutes remaining but the visitors were unable to make the extra man count, rarely managing to produce any sustained pressure far less any real scares for the home defence.

Petrie and his players headed back north with few complaints but, while the table is becoming congested with Alloa, Airdrie and Queens all gunning for the top four, Montrose remain just one point behind Falkirk and Edinburgh who are joint second.

Montrose host Darvel in the third round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday before returning to league action on December 3, when Alloa are the visitors for what looks like a crunch clash at Links Park.

Stewart Petrie’s men are still in the top four.