Albion Rovers 0 v 3 Montrose

Attendance : 279

Scorers ~ Montrose : Gibson (33), Baird (73 pen, 83).

Montrose took a huge step forward to guaranteeing a play-off place come the end of the season with a convincing win at Cliftonhill. Albion Rovers on the other hand guaranteed they wont have any extra matches. Striker Roddy Hunter made his first visit to Coatbridge since signing for the Angus side in January, Rovers were without several injured players and John Gemmell who was suspended.

A couple of minutes into the match Stephen Black embarked on a run down the near wing but his cross into the Rovers box was cut out by 'keeper David Scott. Ciaran Donnelly put in a ball which found Willie Martin who finessed it past a defender on the touchline and crossed to a waiting attacker but a man in white intervened to clear the danger.

In nine minutes Hugh Davidson received a yellow card from Mr. Brown for throwing the ball down in disgust at his awarding of a free-kick to Rovers, the first of several easy avoidable bookings in the match.

Black crossed the ball into Rovers box but a lunge towards it by Steven Doris didn't have the desired effect. Michael McGowan then entered the book of the referee for a foul.

A free-kick was awarded to Montrose just outside the Rovers box and Black took it only to see Alan Benton get in front of 'keeper Scott on his line to clear it. Once more Black was in the thick of it when he flighted in a corner which Craig Forsyth headed goalward, only to be foiled by Graeme Watson on the line.

On the half hour mark a superb header by Willie Martin was met with an equally good diving save by former Rover stopper Mark Peat. Then in 33 minutes the deadlock was broken when Keith Gibson headed a Gary Wood cross into the top corner.

The final noteworthy action of the half saw Pat Walker cross the ball to Willie Martin but the subsequent pass missed the final link in the chain in front of goal.

Half-Time

Jamie McKenzie came off the bench in the interval to make his first appearance since the injury sustained against Forfar over a month ago. Within five minutes the midfielder had his name taken by the referee who initially looked to be letting him off with a warning but the body language and constant talking back persuaded Mr. Brown otherwise.

On-loan winger Bobby Barr then had a cross cum shot cleared effectively by the Gable Endies defence. A corner then provided Steven Doris with a heading opportunity which he squandered by directing the ball wide of the target. Ross Gardiner was next to try his luck with a free-kick which he put a tad high and wide of Rovers goal.

Barr was in possession of the ball and was marauding around the edge of the Montrose defence trying to get a shot or telling cross in but after several attempts to do so the Angus side managed to intercede.

John Baird replaced the somewhat anonymous Hunter in 65 minutes and was shown a yellow card within four minutes for dissent.

In 72 minutes Rovers were reduced to 10 men when Alan Reid was shown a straight red card for bringing down Gibson who would only have the 'keeper to beat had he got past the defender.

60 seconds later Alan Benton was lucky not to follow Reid for an early shower when he fouled Baird in the box being shown a yellow card instead. The damage was done however and it was Baird himself who slotted home from the penalty spot. Willie Martin then joined his colleagues into the referees book.

The Coatbridge men attempted to fight back and Watson fired a free-kick at the visitors goal which Peat struggled with but ultimately managed to hold.

Gary Wood had a go which Scott dealt with before Montrose bagged their third. A through ball by Doris was gladly accepted by Baird whilst claims for offside were waived away the substitute threaded a low ball past Scott and into the net.

A long range Pat Walker drive which Peat held without difficulty brought the game although Watson also found his way into the book of Colin Brown before the whistle sounded.

Summary

Although they had few shots Rovers could have pressed Montrose more effectively had they kept their heads in the second half. This referee doesn't seem to be the best at diffusing a situation and some players should know better. John McCormack will have his work cut out to try and get Rovers any higher in the table with his depleted squad and has to watch out for the teams below.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, McGowan, Donnelly, Benton, Reid, Barr, Watson, Willie Martin (McDougal 86), Pat Walker, Ally Martin (McKenzie 46). Subs Not Used : McStay, Robert Walker, Mitchell.

Montrose : Peat, Buchan, Forsyth, McLeod, Gardiner, Gibson, Doris, Davidson, Wood (Stewart 82), Hunter (Baird 65), Black (Stein 82). Subs Not Used: Hegarty, McKenzie.

Referee : Colin Brown

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