For this Viaplay League Cup game against Lowland League Cowdenbeath it was a game which was important to win but the Mo were without several key players such as Gardyne, Dillon, Steeves and Waddell for various reasons. Referee Alistair Grieve got the game underway in dry weather on a decent pitch and it was the home side nicknamed The Blue Brazil who were first on the attack. The crowd of 303 was equally split by home and away fans.

In the 2nd minute Masson came to the rescue when the Cowden attacker delayed his shot and the clearance went out to Machado on the left but his cross was blocked and the ball was swept downfield again to the lively Butterworth for Cowden but Gill gathered the cross. 

End to end stuff as Montrose won a free kick on the halfway line and McAlister was just wide of the near post with his header. Cowden went close twice in a minute but again Gill was alert and the second attempt was too high – but the danger signs were there from quick breaks downfield by Cowden.

Still in the opening 15 minutes, Webster was too long with a cross and Gill again saved the day at the other end with a point blank save pushing it for a corner which was wasted.

Whilst Cowden were creating the better chances Montrose were having plenty of possession with Machado, Hester and McAllister combining well and three shots all looked dangerous but two were blocked and one from McAllister hit the side netting when a goal looked likely. Leading up to half-time the Mo were on top now and Cowden had two players yellow carded but three corners were wasted though a shot from Hester went just wide. 

For the second half Machado was replaced by Blair Lyons and it was good to see him back in action after injury. Immediately Lyons was felled just outside the 18-yard box and another Cowden player was yellow carded but the free kick was easily held by keeper Hepburn. Still end to end stuff with successive corners to both teams and a Masson shot just wide on 51 minutes.

Graham Webster went one better on 60 minutes as he got onto a long left wing cross and hammered it high into the net to give the Mo a 1-0 lead. 

Cowden made a change on 61 minutes with McDonald replacing Berry and Paul Watson replaced Ally Shrive on 70 minutes. Then came a debateable equaliser for Cowden as Watson appeared to cleanly hit the ball away from danger but referee Grieve adjudged Watson to have fouled his man in getting to the ball. Lots of dissent amongst the Mo players and the crowd – but the penalty was scored by Jamie Docherty and two Mo players, Williamson and Hester were yellow carded.

It was a blow to Montrose who were in control and looking to get a second goal themselves. Batchelor came on for Brown on 78 minutes and immediately sent a shot very closely over the top as he tried to lob the keeper. Cowden should have scored soon after but the shot was weak and guided around the post by Gill. Webster was yellow carded for a shirt pull and yet another Cowden player was yellow carded for a foul. 

Cowden made two more changes but the last few minutes were played out as the final whistle sounded with the game at 1-1 and with a penalty shoot-out to decide who got the extra point.

McAllister went first and missed, Cowden scored their first then Hester scored and Cowden missed. Batchelor, Webster, Lyons all scored, as did the next three Cowden players. Masson missed so it was McNab who could do it for Cowden but his effort was saved by Gill – so still 4-4 after 6 pens. Next came Evan Towler for Montrose and he cooly slotted it home so it was Cowden who had to score next, but failed to do so as Cammy Gill saved it.

So the extra point went to the Mo who are still in with a chance of progressing in the Viaplay Cup as they face Arbroath in the final group game on Saturday. 

Report by Steve Doyle.