The Gable Endies progressed to the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy following a classy display away to Cove Rangers at a sun-kissed Balmoral Stadium.

Stewart Petrie made four changes to the side that won away to Queen of the South last weekend, with Ross Matthews, Ali Shrive, Paul Watson and Craig Batchelor coming into the side for Gill, Webster, Gardyne and Hester.

Paul Hartley’s side seemed to be the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half, making it look easy to find their way into the Montrose box.

Although threatening, the home side’s forwards seemed really reluctant to aim for goal, with any attempt blocked by the Montrose defence or easily gathered by Matthews.

The academy product produced some quality saves throughout the first 45 minutes, making any chance of Cove getting a goal even more unlikely as the minutes passed.

That’s not to say that the hosts prevented any forthcoming attack from the Mo, with Craig Brown seeing a long-range shot hit a defender and Aidan Quinn coming close in the dying stages of the first half with an effort inside the box.

Graham Webster replaced Ali Shrive as the second half began and nearly grabbed the first goal of the game when a shot with his weaker foot forced a save from Suman.

In the 58th minute Montrose finally broke the deadlock.

Having played a clever one-two with Paul Watson, Craig Brown unleashed a rocket into the top left corner to give the Gable Endies an advantage with just over half an hour to go.

Both sides huffed and puffed throughout the second phase, trying to take something from the game.

Montrose sealed their place in the next round in the 87th minute.

Sean Dillon collected the ball from defence and played a magnificent long ball for Kane Hester to chase. 

The new number nine beat the offside trap before cooly slotting the ball past the keeper to double Montrose’s lead.

After a prolonged period of injury time, referee Alastair Grieve finally blew his whistle, confirming Montrose’s second competitive win in a row.

The draw for the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy will take place on Thursday at 1pm.

Report by Ben MacDonald

Pic by Phoenix Photography 

Post Match Reaction https://youtu.be/A68cJJ-afCU?si=E1VLZV0usTXU80EL