MONTROSE held newly-relegated Arbroath to a goalless draw at the Greenversity Stadium in the first league meeting of the two in five seasons, despite playing the last half hour with 10 men after Michael Gardyne was shown a red card.

Quinn Coulson headed straight at Montrose goalkeeper Cammy Gill in the ninth minute in the first clear-cut chance for either team.

Terry Masson recorded Montrose’s first shot on target a minute later, but the long-range effort didn’t test home goalkeeper Aidan McAdams.

Gill did well to cover and hold a low Innes Murray shot in the 12th minute.

Arbroath captain Tom O’Brien’s shot from a Liam Callaghan cross was easily held by Gill in the 19th minute.

Craig Brown’s hooked shot in first half stoppage time posed no real threat to McAdams.

Calum Gallagher snatched at a shot in the box in the 55th minute, the ball flying out for a goal kick as Arbroath tried to take advantage of having the wind at their backs in the second half. Sean Dillon also did well to hook a shot away from goal shortly afterwards.

Montrose were reduced to 10 men when Michael Gardyne received two yellow cards in the space of three minutes, both of them for dissent.

Arbroath looked to take imemdiate advantage of their extra man, Murray having a shot held by Gill.

Former Montrose midfielder Callaghan tried his luck from 25 yards out in the 67th minute, but his shot was well off target.

Arbroath piled forward in stoppage time as they sought a dramatic winner, but Gallagher could only head wide from a long throw.

Attendance 2040

Report by Mark Rae

Pic by Phoenix Photography