Montrose made a couple of changes for this tough looking away game with Miller Thomson in midfield in place of Terry Masson and with Blair Lyons starting the game on the left upfront to partner Kane Hester with Craig Brown between them and the midfield. It was certainly a change of formation with McAllister now gone and although the Mo lacked a bit of height up front they more than made up for it with a lot of pace and energy from the younger legs. 

Referee was Iain Sneddon who got it underway with a sparce looking Mo support on the day in a crowd of 982.

The first move saw Montrose sweep the ball to the opposition corner flag but it was Queens who in turn swept it to the other end where Dillon cleared the danger. It found Gardyne in midfield and his long ball through the middle found Hester but the alert keeper Stone saw it coming and gathered it before a shot came in. 

First corner to Montrose on 7 minutes as Quinn headed it just wide but not for long as another Mo corner from Gardyne created the first goal on 10 minutes when Aidan Quinn firmly headed it in from 10 yards central to make it 1-0.

The home crowd were still silent when Montrose added a second goal on 15 minutes when a good move down the left with Machado saw Lyons cut it back for Craig Brownto give Keeper Stone no chance with a firm shot from 15 yards out.

Cue immediate Queens pressure, a corner was wasted, Dillon mopped up another attack and his long ball almost found Hester but for Stone to again anticipate it and gather. First yellow card was to Queens Reegan for a double trip but the free kick was cleared easily.  Montrose rode it out until half-time with Dillon and Quinn well in control at the back.

Queens made a triple change for the second half with Gibson, Connelly and Ambrose on for Walker, Ferguson and MacIntyre and the early pressure brought the score back to 2-1 on 48 minutes when the lively Gibson crossed from the left and Keiran McKechnie headed in at the far post. That brought a change from Montrose with Lyons replaced by Luke Graham who fitted into the back line very well indeed but the loss of Lyons up front allowed Queens to exert more pressure.

That pressure brought an equalising goal on 60 minutes when Lewis Gibson crossed from the left and everyone left it including Gill and it went straight into the back of the net. Another change on 62 minutes as Hutchinson replaced McKechnie but Montrose upped the pace again and had two corners quickly but nothing came from them but Queens appeared to lose that early second half dominance and Montrose came back into the game and took the lead again on 67 minutes when Machado did well down the left then cut it back to the onrushing Craig Brown who thundered his shot high into the net from 25 yards to make it 3-2 to the Mo.

Queens missed a good chance on 72 minutes with a poor shot from a good position and Gill made the save at full stretch. Cue another change for Montrose as Watson came on for Brown and played in a forward looking attacking midfield role and to good effect which was very effective at that time.

Hester was yellow carded for a foul and Montrose stayed composed to play out the last 10 minutes. Queens hit the post in a scramble but Montrose hoofed it upfield but back it came and another Queens shot from distance went wide.

For the Mo Shrive replaced Hester and McGuffie replaced Logan as we entered stoppage time and another Queens player appeared to be yellow carded. Finally after 97 minutes Montrose sent a long ball downfield and referee Sneddon blew for full-time and a 3-2 win for the Mo.

The change of formation for Montrose with more pace up front and three at the back when Graham came on as a second half change to join Dillon and Quinn then Watson fitting into an unusual attacking midfield role will no doubt have been a welcome bit of encouragement for Montrose management but next week we have a week off league stuff and can maybe try it out again at Cove in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Match Report: Steve Doyle