A very disappointing performance from Montrose who changed the starting eleven from the midweek game against Cove Rangers. Kelty needed the points for survival in League 1 but against a changed Mo team it took Kelty until half-time to fully realise they had the upper hand.

Referee Jamie Wilkie got it underway with Montrose kicking against a strong win on a dry day and play was in midfield entirely for the fist few minutes until Kelty were caught offside then Lyons sped down the left in the first Mo attack on 8 minutes but was tackled and it came to nothing. Kelty had the first shot at goal but Sharp pushed it away to safety. Lyons again sped down the left but his centre was blocked. Kelty gained a corner which was hit short but the cross was too far and out it went.

Neither side possessed any threat, but Lyons had the first Montrose shot from 25 yards and it flew over the top after 30 minutes. The rest of the first half was meaningless except for yellow cards to Arnott and Brydon and a yellow for Freeman for a foul. No corners for Montrose as it stayed 0-0.

The second half started with Kelty more determined, and they scored from what appeared to be a very soft penalty on 51 minutes. Aaron Arnott scored it with Sharp getting a hand to it but could not keep it out. Montrose were not playing well so had to change their shape, Loudon was on his own up top with no support and getting pushed and fouled then Blair Lyons got on the end of a Gibson pass on the edge of the Kelty area and hit it past keeper Gourlay to make it 1-1 on 62 minutes.

Immediately Montrose made changes with Freeman and Gibson coming off and Webster and Sutherland coming on. Kelty also brought Cooper on with Cunningham off. Usually, such changes give the Mo more pressure but that did not happen and on 68 minutes Kelty made it 2-1 from a break down the right which Cameron Cooper smashed home from the centre of the box. All to do now for Montrose and as much as they tried, it was Kelty who still had the upper hand. They subbed Murray for Pettifer on 70 minutes.

Into the last 10 minutes and Kelty were going for a third goal. Lyons had another run down the left but the cross was easily held by keeper Gourlay. Montrose made another change with Stevenson and Brown on to replace Masson and Bertie on 78 minutes. Another yellow for Kelty then a third goal for them. It was a well worked goal again from the right wing as McCarvel crossed it for Cameron Cooper to side foot it in from 15 yards in the centre of the area.

Webster shot over the top, Kelty made another change, Loudon shot straight at the keeper and Montrose finally had a corner in stoppage time, but it was wasted as was the game overall.

The final score of 3-1 was deservedly gained by Kelty and Montrose now have 3 games remaining to chase what would be a very respectable fifth spot in the league.

Attendance 296

Report by Steve Doyle