MONTROSE took a big step towards avoiding the League 1 relegation playoff with a well-deserved home win against fellow strugglers Annan Athletic.

Annan threatened first, Max Kilsby heading over the crossbar in the second minute.

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when captain Tommy MUIR rose unchallenged to head into the bottom corner from a corner.

But Montrose levelled the scores less than two minutes later when Blair LYONS stooped to meet Sean Dillon’s curled cross to the back post with a header.

They could have gone ahead a minute later when Lyons’ shot was charged down by visiting goalkeeper Jamie Smith, Craig Wighton putting the loose ball over the bar from the edge of the box.

LYONS put Montrose in front in the 20th minute when he burst past Kilsby to collect a long diagonal pass from Craig Brown, carried on into the box and smashed a low shot across Smith and in at the far post.

The forward was denied a first half hat trick in the 35th minute when his shot from a Brown through ball was deflected over, and again in the 41st minute when he beat the Annan offside trap but sent a shot inches wide of the post.

Montrose extended their advantage in the 42nd minute when Craig BROWN collected a backheeled pass from Craig Wighton and smashed it low past Smith from 12 yards out.

Cammy Gill pulled off a superb double save in the 61st minute to deny substitute Aaron Brown a goal, tipping a first shot against the post and blocking a second from the rebound.

Annan continued to press as they sought to reduce the deficit, Paul McGowan blasting over the crossbar from inside the box.

Montrose could have put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute, Callum Sandilands squaring the ball across goal to Lyons, but he slipped before the ball could reach him and Annan managed to clear.

Ben Maciver-Redwood had a chance to wrap up the scoring in the 89th minute, but his shot from Sandilands’ pass was weak and at the goalkeeper.

Attendance: 657

Report by Mark Rae

Pic by Phoenix Photography 

Post Match Reaction https://youtu.be/pno-gpVr6Mc?si=1KxQKzqISopkzNtN