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An underwhelming performance in Angus saw the team fall to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Montrose.

The manager made once change from the lineup that face Alloa in last Saturday’s draw, Joe Chalmers was brought back in for the suspended Layton Bisland, with the squad rotation in-play after the magnificent 6-1 victory at home to Dumbarton in the KDM Evolution Trophy in midweek.

Despite the much talked about artificial surface at Links Park, both teams struggled to find their feet in the opening minutes, and Afonso Lindo’s slipped may have proved costly if it wasn’t for Robbie Mutch.

Lindo got the ball stuck under his feet as he stumbled under no pressure which allowed Sutherland through on goal, his square ball to Lyons forced Mutch to make a brilliant close range save to keep the score level.

Lyons was determined to get the better of Mutch and would do so just two minutes later.

Dylan Ross failed to clear a ball in the box under the pressure of BLAIR LYONS who gained control and shrugged off Ross with ease before unleashing a powerful shot off the under side of the bar and into the back of the net.

Cove looked to get back in the game with Teasdale, Ross and Maguire all delivering teasing balls into the home sides box but there was no one on the end of any of them.

Up the other end of the park Montrose were looking to double their advantage. Goalscorer Lyons was lively again when he picked the ball up and beat two defenders before unleashing a shot across the face of goal but wide of the far post.

The end of the first half would finish with a flourish for Cove. Dylan Ross was fouled out wide on the left and with the resulting free kick taken by Chalmers, it was flicked towards goal by Darge but wide of the goal.

Max Barry would be next to try get the team level when his right footed shot from 25yards whistled past Gill’s right-hand post.

Cove’s last chance of the half would also be the last action of the half which saw Maguire drive down the line before making his way into the box but his low driven cross was parried away by the keeper.

HALF TIME 1-0

Montrose would come flying out the traps after the break and would double their lead just a few minutes in.

Jake Sutherland managed to hold off Mercer as he carried the ball down the left wing which he swung low into the box where HARRY CRAIG got ahead of half-time substitute Liam Parker to poke home to make it 2-0 to the home side.

Along with Parker, Eddi Oppong was introduced after the break and he looked to get the players going again playing off the right side.

His first involvement’s saw a couple of crosses flash past the Montrose goal before he curled a shot from the edge of the box, but it was easily gathered by Gill.

The team had a good reaction to going two down and Mercer was the next to threaten the goal. Parker’s lofted ball over the top saw Gill race off his line to deny Mercer a lob into an empty net.

Parker then let fly from 30 yards moments later but his shot stung the hands of Gill as he pushed it behind for a corner.

Cove would get their reward on 68 minutes, Eddi Oppong again looked threatening on the wing and his cross was bundled over the line by DESTINY OLADIPO who got the away fans going as he carried the ball back to the centre circle.

A shout for handball and a penalty after the restart wouldn’t go the way of Cove just before Oppong had a snapshot but again it was off target.

Montrose did well to hold on to the three points with Cove’s last chance coming the way of Chalmers whose shot from distance sailed high over the bar, which perhaps summed up the team’s performance.

Montrose – Gill (GK), Quinn (C), Duffy (Bertie 76’) , McGinty, Oosenbrugh, Freeman, Craig (S. Byrne 71’), Barjonas, Lyons (Webster 71’), Oliver (Williamson 86’), Sutherland (Loudon 71’)

Subs- Millar (GK), Dillon, L. Byrne, Clelland

Cove Rangers- Mutch (GK), Mercer, Lindo, Harrington, Chalmers, Barry (Stephen 81’), Maguire (Oladipo 63’) , Ross (Oppong 45’), Darge, Teasdale (Parker 45’), White (C)

Subs- Demus (GK), Souter, Francis-Burrell, Fraser

Attendence –  673

Match Gallery | Montrose (A) »