The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Wonder goal’ but derby honours even
It was honours even in the derby at a chilly Links Park, leaving Forfar five points clear at the top of League Two and managerless Montrose just above bottom-markers Edinburgh City.
Forfar manager Gary Bollan was content with a point but said: “I think we deserved a bit more.
“They scored a wonder goal to take the lead. It was a fair old finish from Gary Fraser if he meant it.
“We dominated possession and Grant Adam had no real saves to make.
“We lacked a bit of quality in the final third but overall things are looking good.
“Montrose is a tough place to come to for a derby and we will take the point from a hard-fought draw.
“We have a free weekend coming up as unfortunately we are out of the cup. This will give any minor knocks a chance to clear up, and Michael Travis might be fit to return in a fortnight.”
After an even opening period, Forfar went close on 22 minutes when a Gavin Swankie chip came back off the bar.
Montrose took the lead on 28 minutes with a fine strike. Gregor Anderson played the ball forward and Fraser lashed home a first-time volley into the net as the ball dropped over his shoulder.
Montrose thought they had scored on 39 minutes as Michael Bolochoweckyj headed home a Terry Masson corner, but keeper Adam was ruled to be fouled.
Forfar equalised on half-time when David Cox got away on the right and, from his cross, Danny Denholm dived to head home.
On 67 minutes Martyn Fotheringham just failed to find the top corner for Forfar from 30 yards.
Forfar went closest to grabbing a winner as the clock ticked down. On 85 minutes a Jim Lister shot was superbly stopped by Allan Fleming, then two minutes into stoppage-time the striker was denied by a point-blank save.
John Holt was in charge of Montrose following the sacking of Paul Hegarty.
He said: “It has been a difficult week for us with Paul leaving the club.
“Our players did really well and deserved the point.
“I didn’t see anything wrong with the goal we scored.
“You can’t speak to referees these days but the word is the linesman felt the keeper was pushed.
“A goal then would have put us 2-0 up and it would have been hard for them to come back.
“Forfar are a good team, but we took a point.
“I would have liked three points but the result will give us encouragement and we have the potential to climb the league.”