Several changes for Montrose with the main one being Kerr Waddell starting the game with Sean Dillon on the bench. Gill was in goal with a back four of Freeman, Quinn, Waddell and Steeves then Gardyne, Masson and Sandilands in midfield to support Wighton, Stirton and Lyons up top.

Referee Dan Graves got it underway on a dry but cloudy day with little or no wind. Dumbarton had the first real attack but a long ball was too long and out it went. Again they attacked but this time it was cut out and a third attack was close until Gill saved and cleared the danger.

No threat from Montrose just yet but when Lyons got going down the left a cross was met and scrambled away with a Dumbarton player, Hilton injured who had to be substituted by Gray after 7 minutes. The first corner to Dumbarton on 8 minutes came to nothing as Stirton headed it clear.

It was fully 10 minutes before Montrose produced a goal bound threat but that indeed led to the first goal. A cross from the left found Sandilands then Stirton and a foul in the box was given so a penalty to the Mo which Owen Stirton scored from to make it 1-0 after 13 minutes.

It was against the run of play at that time but pressure from Dumbarton saw them equalise on 19 minutes also from the penalty spot. Masson chased a long ball and got to it first but the referee deemed it to be a foul and Michael Ruth scored to make it 1-1. Masson was yellow carded for complaining about it.

Montrose were now more into the game but Dumbarton were more of a threat up top with Montrose in defensive mood. That said, it was Montrose who scored next with Lyons sending in a cross which was cleared then a long ball found Lyons again and he found Sandilands who then found Owen Stirton at the far post and he tucked it away to make it 2-1 on 24 minutes.

Dumbarton came back upfield and shot wide then Waddell saw yellow for a strong challenge. On 37 minutes Dumbarton levelled the game again when Gray found Carlo Pignatiello who swivelled and shot past Gill from the centre of the box to make it 2-2.

Into stoppage time first half with two Montrose corners the second of which almost saw Dumbarton score from a breakaway 3 on 2 but the shot went wide and it stayed at 2-2.

Second half and Montrose needed to up the pressure to attack more and force Dumbarton back. Dillon came on for Waddell who had been yellow carded.

Montrose suddenly were much more on the front foot and that changed the game in their favour as it became more 50/50 though the Mo created more chances and Dumbarton fewer. Stirton shot past the post then Lyons crossed and after a scramble the ‘Sons’ cleared it. Montrose were now looking much stronger with Quinn, Dillon and Steeves supporting the midfield who in turn had Gardyne at his best. 

It was Gardyne who created the next goal as he took a free kick wide left and hit a long ball to the far post which Aidan Quinn thundered it into the net from 10 yards to make it 3-2 on 68 minutes.

Gill was injured but recovered then Montrose brought off Wighton for Webster on 73 minutes and on 75 minutes Dumbarton made a triple change to try and change the game again. Two corners were wasted and from the second one Gill saved well. 

Into the last 10 minutes and another change saw Lyons and Masson off with Brown and Bertie on. Montrose were wary of late goals so got the ball at the other end quickly – not pretty but if a mistake was to be made it was best to make it at the other end. 

Another Mo corner on 88 minutes came to nothing then Dillon was yellow carded somewhat unfairly. Into stoppage time and again the ball went swifty to the other end until the final whistle blew for a welcome Montrose win.

Second half saw Montrose at their best with Quinn a star man at the back and deservedly scoring the winning goal whilst Stirton was always a threat up top. Gardyne was at his best in midfield with Masson who was making his 400^th start for Montrose.

Report by Steve Doyle

Pic courtesy of Dumbarton