Changes were made by Montrose with Masson and Waddell having injuries but Stirton and Quinn were back in the starting line-up against Stenhousemuir who were well placed in the play-off positions.

Referee Ryan Lee started the game in strong wind and rain with Montrose having the wind behind them in the first half. 

Stenny had the first attack but keeper Gill put an end to it and sent the Mo down the other end and Gardyne won a free kick just outside the Stenny 18-yard box centrally. 

Stirton hit it hard but straight at keeper Jamieson. It carried on that way with Stenny wasting a corner then Craig Brown turned and shot over the bar. Stenny did the same then the Mo wasted a corner with nobody at the far post as the ball was hit long.

Craig Wighton then had a shot saved as Montrose used the wind to their advantage with both Stirton and Lyons running at the defence. A yellow card was issued to Fisher on 24 minutes for a foul on Lyons and that led to the first goal. Stirton hit the free kick, the keeper saved it but Callum Sandilands anticipated the second ball and swept it into the net to make it 1-0 to the Mo on 25 minutes.

Stenny reacted but keeper Gill was well aware and kept them out with the back four holding firm.

Then the second goal came on 28 minutes and the wind played a part. A clever through ball from Wighton found Owen Stirton out-pacing his marker and hitting it hard into the net to make it 2-0. 

First change was made by Montrose on 38 minutes as Steeves appeared to hurt his hand and was replaced by Bertie. Then another chance for Montrose as Brown lobbed the keeper but just over the top it went. 

Two corners to Stenny took almost up to half-time but were wasted then with the last effort Montrose made it 3-0 a minute into stoppage time as Lyons used his speed to hit the line and cross the ball where Callum Sandilands again anticipated well and found the net from close range. 

Stenhousemuir made a change to start the second half with Banner replacing Fisher as Montrose faced an even stronger wind and rain to defend their three goal lead. A yellow card was issued to Stenny player Taylor for diving in the area as Stenny strived to get back into the game.

The wind was a problem and the second half was mostly Stenny pressure but the clock ticked on as Montrose got the ball to the other end for Stirton and Lyons to chase down. 

Another change saw Stenny bring on O’Reilly and Alston for Meechan and Taylor and produced the next goal on 66 minutes. Craig Brown was yellow carded and from the free kick Blair Alston hit the second ball into the net to make it 3-1. 

Another change for the home side on 74 minutes as O’Donnell replaced Anderson as the game entered the last 15 minutes. 

Stenny wasted another corner then a Stirton shot was saved and from the rebound a Lyons follow up was blocked. 

Wighton was yellow carded for a foul then Stenny hit the post and the ball went wide.  Another change by Stenny on 83 minutes as McGill was replaced by Jacobs then on 87 minutes a second Stenny goal came from the right and was headed firmly past Gill by Matthew Aitken to make it 3-2.

Into stoppage time as Montrose tried hard to get the ball to the other end but the wind was even stronger and it was hard to get the ball away. Aitken was yellow carded for Stenny and the home fans were disappointed as the referee blew for full time just after the linesman ruled out what would have been an equaliser but it was offside so the Mo won 3-2.

Both sides used the wind to advantage but Montrose scored a goal more and defended well in the dying stages. The full squad played well and unusually there were no late game substitutions for the Mo which proved to be vital in the conditions but a special mention to Callum Sandilands who is finding his way into the midfield well and has the anticipation to get onto the second ball and score goals – long may that continue.

Report by Steve Doyle

Post Match Reaction https://youtu.be/ADBHcScTbw4?si=THs3HHx-CFZ_PNWJ