Montrose started the game against F.C. Edinburgh at Meadowbank Stadium with a familiar line-up. Matthews in goal then a back four of Webster, Allan, Dillon and Steeves with Gardyne, Masson, Machado and Brown in behind the front two of McAllister and Lyons. Pink tops and black shorts were the fashion on the day for Montrose

Referee Steven Kirkland got things started in front of a crowd of 359 and not a lot happened in the first 15 minutes as both teams sized each other up wary of giving anything away. Webster saw the first yellow card for kicking the ball away then the game took a turn for the better as Rory McAllister was fouled in the area and he took the spot kick himself to not only send Montrose 1-0 up on 20 minutes, but also to reach a significant personal milestone of 300 career goals. It was the Mo who were having most possession at that stage playing good football and Edinburgh had their first of 5 yellow cards on 24 minutes. Two Montrose corners were followed by one for Edinburgh but nothing came of any of them.

On the 30-minute mark Montrose had a great chance to score a second as McAllister only just failed to get a touch on a Lyons cross which went wide of the far post. Gardyne shot over the top from 25 yards, Dillon saw yellow for a late tackle as half-time came with Montrose 1-0 up.

Edinburgh made two changes to start the second half with McIntyre and See replacing Hamilton and Robertson but it started slowly though it was clear to see Edinburgh starting to dominate midfield but they still lacked a finishing touch with the Mo back line dealing with all that came their way. Montrose were not out of it by any means up front and a back-heel by McAllister set up Lyons but his shot went over the top. Two quick corners for Edinburgh saw one cleared off the line and away by Montrose and soon after the first changes were made on 68 minutes with Mackinnon on for Brown and Johnston on for Lyons. At the same time Edinburgh replaced Jacobs with Warnock. A Webster cross was headed over then came the equalising goal on 69 minutes. A hard hit cross from Crane was hit hard into the top of the net from close range by Ryan Shanley to make it 1-1.

Edinburgh were on top now but a bit too eagerly for referee Kirkland who booked 3 more Edinburgh players. Keeper Matthews dealt with two rasping shots to keep the Mo level then up the other end McAllister had a shot somehow scrambled away for a corner which was taken short and wasted. Into the last 10 minutes, Edinburgh replaced Murray with Stirling and for Montrose Whatley and Watson replaced Masson and Machado and although Edinburgh were mostly in possession latterly Montrose could also have won the game going into stoppage time. The game was stopped by an injury to Steeves who was replaced by Milne and a re-shuffled line-up saw the game out – a point apiece was a fair result with both sides holding firm to end the game all square.

Report: Steve Doyle

Watch highlights here: https://youtu.be/ZzkSprxhHwU