MONTROSE 1 DUMBARTON 2

Performance was ‘not acceptable’, says Petrie

Montrose manager Stewart Petrie will try to bring in some players before the transfer window closes, after a 2-1 defeat at home to Dumbarton left them languishing at the bottom of League One with just one point from five games.

Two goals from former Brechin striker Isaac Layne rocked Montrose in the first half and although the home side were much improved in the second half, it proved to be too little too late.

Petrie said: “That was as poor as we have been since I came to the club and that is not acceptable. We gave ourselves a huge task and came up short.”

Montrose have been hit by injury, with stalwarts Andrew Steeves, Terry Masson and Paul Watson all sidelined, but Petrie is not looking for excuses. “That is why we have a squad and the players on the pitch should have done better.”

With the wind behind them, Dumbarton were the better side at the start and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 21 minutes. A shot from Joseph McKee was parried by Aaron Lennox and Layne stroked home the rebound.

On 34 minutes a free-kick from McKee was headed home by Layne to make it 2-0.

Montrose made two changes at half-time and a third early in the second half and proceeded to take the game to Dumbarton.

On 66 minutes, Ross Campbell rose to meet a cross from his brother Iain and his header crashed off the Dumbarton crossbar.

Montrose got the goal they were looking for on 75 minutes. A ball from Sean Dillon split the defence and a Josh Skelly cross was cleverly flicked home by Blair Lyons.

Former St Johnstone and Forfar midfielder Patrick Cregg has left Links Park to take up a full-time assistant manager’s post with Irish Premier Division side St Patricks Athletic.