An interesting line-up for Montrose today in a squad with plenty of experience with several players on the bench such as Quinn, Waddell, Webster, Brown and Gibson. Focus was on youth mainly against a Hamilton side who needed the points to get out of the bottom two.

Referee Euan Anderson got it underway on a sunny day with light wind and Montrose had the first shot at goal in the first minute with Sandilands hitting it just wide of the post from 25 yards. The next attack gave the Mo a corner but lack of height made it easy for the Accies to get it away downfield and win a free kick 30 yards out but it came to nothing. A second Montrose corner was easily cleared away by Accies swiftly on the break but the cross was hit hard and too long and out. A corner was given to Hamilton however but our keeper Sharp gathered it safely.

At the 15-minute mark play was 50/50 but neither side had a finishing touch. Accies had a shot from 25 yards which Sharp easily got then Accies had 2 corners both of which came to nothing as Williamson went on a run on the break but was tumbled and a yellow card was issued to McKinstry on 22 minutes. Then Montrose had a period of pressure with two corners which came to nothing then Williamson had another good run but his cross was headed wide. On 33 minutes Accies hit the top of the Mo crossbar from a left wing cross and the second ball was hit across the 6-yard box but nobody was there to put it away.

Leading up to the interval Lyons was causing Accies bother down both left and right sides. One effort was blocked for a corner then Bertie hit a 30 yarder which keeper Lane collected. 

Then the first goal on 42 minutes as Lyons, Sandilands and Sutherland combined for a right wing cross which found its way to Keiran Freeman who hit it into the net from 15 yards to make it 1-0 to the Mo. It stayed that way for the half-time whistle.

The second half saw a change for both sides. For Hamilton Black and Simpson came on for Forrest and Crookston and for Montrose Brown came on for Masson. Accies had more intend now as they strived for an equaliser. Three corners were dealt with by Montrose with the third one ended by another good run by Williamson but he hit it downfield too far and out. 

Gus Stevenson was the yellow carded for a foul then a series of corners to each side coming up to the hour mark saw Accies equalise as a throw in from the right was scrambled into the net close up for Lee Kilday. Accies were on top at that stage looking for all three points but Montrose defended well and created chances themselves. 

Two more Montrose corners came to nothing as a lack of height made it easy for Accies keeper. Then changes for Montrose on 75 minutes with Webster, Gibson and North on for Lyons, Stevenson and Sutherland.

Into the last 15 minutes with Accies hitting a shot over the top then Gibson for the Mo also hitting one over the top. Then Sandilands shot straight at keeper Lane as Mo made another change on 84 minutes with Quinn on for Bertie to shore up the defence as Accies tried hard for a winner. Hamilton were on top for the last few minutes but Montrose could well have sealed it as well but Webster was caught offside just before the final whistle went for a       1-1 draw.

A point apiece was probably fair in the end and the Montrose management team can be proud of their selection.

Report by Steve Doyle