By Graham
August 11 2006

After taking the lead through an Andy Rodgers penalty and being clawed back by a Bobby Linn goal. Peterhead crushed Montrose's hopes of a big money tie by scoring 2 goals in extra time, after Hugh Davidson was sent off. Montrose lined up with Reid behind a back four of Donnachie, Higgins, McLeod & Fraser. In midfield was Cumming, Henslee, Davidson & Adam up front was Kerrigan & Rodgers. After Saturday's disappointing draw with Dumabarton, Montrose started the brighter team.

After some silky build up Davidson had a long range effort comfortably saved in the 5th minute. In the 10th minute a free kick was knocked down by Kerrigan and Rodger's shot was deflected over.

Peterhead had a corner in the 20th minute that was easily dealt with by the Montrose defence. 5 minutes later came the break through Montrose were looking for. A cross into the box saw Davidson nudged in the back by Tully and the ref awrded a penalty. Rodgers stepped up and sent a powerful shot into the top right corner of the net. 10 minutes later A Linn cross for Peterhead saw the montrose defence scramble it away for a corner which never amounted to anything, for the visitors. Minutes before half time Rodgers turned provider by knockig it on with Kerrigan just failing to connect with it at the back post. Right on half time Rodgers, who was putting in a good shift, ghosted past the right back and shot wide.

In the second half Peterhead began the more brightly with a corner in the 49th minute that was dealt with by Higgins & McLeod, they continued with the pressure and in the 55th minute Tully blasted well over. Peterhead drew level in the 60th minute when they broke free and with Reid beaten a brave clearance off the line from Higgins fell to Wood who crossed it over for Linn to score.

In 65minutes Donnachie was taken off to be replaced by Napier. It was around this time the ref began to lose the plot and started hadnign out needless bookings to Montrose players yet letting Peterhead players off scot free for similar tackles & challenges. Peterhead could sense victory and started piling forward with a long range shot saved by Reid. In the 73rd minute Gibson was taken off by Peterhead to a chorus of boo's and jeers from the Links Park faithful. In the 77th minute Bavidge was clean through on goal and shot wide.

In the 80th minute some neat play from a free kick some Cumming's shoot high over the bar. With 5 minutes of normal time left there was a mix up in the home defence that saw Perry's fierce shot shave the post for Peterhead.

Into Extra time and the first notably thing was, Davidson who kicked out at a player and was already heading for the tunnel when the ref pulled out his red card. Montrose still pressed forward though and from a free kick that the defender missed and Rodgers got in behind him to score was disallowed for a foul. Where the foul occured is beyond anyone in Links Park apart from the referee. Then a handball against Peterhead in the box was given against Montrose and right on the stroke on half time with Henslee about to pull the trigger the ref blew the whistle.

Montrose now were looking to hit Peterhead on the break or play for penalties but alas that wasn't to be a, good finish from ex fans favourite Marton Wood in the 108th minute made montrose chase the game. Then in the 115th minute after Bavidge had pushed McLeod to the ground in a challenge that wouldn't of looked out of place in a WWE ring, with the ref waving play on Montrose's dream were shattered as the ball settled in the back of the net.

All in all a good display from Montrose who know they can beat them and will have a chance next week in the challenge cup. Andy Rodgers was rightly awarded man of the match but Higgins & McLeod again looked impressive and making Chippy Fraser a left back has been one of the best moves yet.