Montrose wanted a win to steer clear of the lower positions and Kelty needed a win to get into the play-off positions yet they were only 3 points above Montrose such are the facts of a tight ten team division. A couple of changes for the Mo with Dillon and Gardyne starting the game but with a strong looking line-up of nine players on the bench.

Referee Iain Sneddon started it on a mild dry day and it was 50/50 in the opening minutes as both teams sized each other up by making no mistakes and that’s indeed how it continued.

Sandilands was offside in the first Montrose attack but it was a good 10 minutes before another attack as Masson won a free kick wide left and after a clearance Lyons crossed again but it was too far and went out at the other side.

Kelty then attacked in numbers but the Mo defence stood firm and a long ball from Quinn found Lyons who won a corner which was cleared easily. Another free kick wide left resulted in another Montrose corner which keeper Adams collected.

On 22 minutes the first yellow card was issued to McClure for a pull back on Stirton then Kelty had the first decent chance on 25 minutes as the ball was hit into the Montrose box but scrambled away before a Kelty forward grabbed the chance but the clearance was hit from distance and saved easily by Gill. Then more Montrose pressure leading up to half-time.

Two corners to Montrose and keeper Adams dealt with both. Wighton hit a weak header over the top then two more corners for Montrose were cleared with Masson getting onto both second balls from 25 yards but found keeper Adams saving both. 

Steeves also had a shot saved by Adams as Kelty wrapped up the first half by hitting a 30 yarder well over the top as it stayed at 0-0.

No changes for the second half as Montrose kept up the pressure looking for that all important opening goal. A long ball to Stirton was too long and a Sandilands shot was put behind for yet another Mo corner which came to nothing.

Montrose were winning midfield and Kelty relied on long passes along both wings one of which was a good cross but with no takers. Then the first change as Kelty subbed McCarvel for McLeish on 54 minutes. Two more Montrose corners one of which was too long and the other headed wide by an overstretching Stirton whose next effort was blocked.

Another yellow for Kelty as Cunningham felled Lyons and from the free kick an effort ended just past the post. On 69 minutes Webster replaced Freeman to try and turn possession into a threat up front.

Into the last 15 minutes and Masson was yellow carded and immediately subbed along with Wighton on 77 minutes with Craig Brown and Aulay Martin coming on both up front trying for a win.

At this point Montrose were well on top and it was 80 minutes before Kelty had their first corner but it was hit well over the top.

Another Montrose change on 85 minutes with Waddell replacing Quinn and Watson replacing Sandilands as the Mo strived for a win which their possession deserved. Then came the best chance on 86 minutes as Aulay Martin raced onto a through ball down the middle, outpaced his marker but keeper Adams went the right way and the chance was gone.

From the resultant corner all the Montrose big guys were up top but the corner was hit short and away it went with the referee blowing for full time at 0-0 though it seemed another yellow card was shown at someone from Kelty who appeared to shout something at the referee.

Overall Montrose should have won the game but it was also important not to make a mistake and end up losing.

Good use of substitutions by the Mo and on another day it would have paid off with a goal.

Report by Steve Doyle

Pic by Phoenix Photography 

Post match reaction https://youtu.be/5GUxrgZWOak?si=jVBHvacyFJ2vTk6a