By Gary McKenzie
January 21 2004

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 17 January 2004, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 2 (Michie (Pen, 19), Smart (56)) PETERHEAD 1 (Bavidge (54)) Montrose secured a superb vistory over Peterhead with a gutsy performance against one of the division's toughest teams.

Peterhead began the match well and took control of the midfield without seriously threatening the Mo goal. However, Montrose pulled themselves back into the match and wing play from Webster and Sharp was causing the Blue Toon problems. A brilliant 40 yard run into the box by Sharp was halted illegally on 19 minutes and Michie fired home from the spot to give the Mo a deserved lead.

Montrose continued to dominate but there was no further score by the break.

Peterhead pulled a goal back when Bavidge picked up the ball on the left and drilled home a fine strike. However, man of the match, Craig Smart scored a fine winner and contender for goal of the season two minutes later when he dribbled the ball through a crowd of players on the edge of the Peterhead box and fired home a well-placed shot at the left post.

Montrose had other chances as well. We hit the post and had a goal chalked off for a foul on the keeper.

Mark Perry was red-carded for the visitors after his second bookable challenge and the referee could certainly have punished Peterhead further for some cynical tackles during the match.

Henderson replaced a tired-looking Michie and Montrose were good for the victory although Butter did have to pull off some good saves to keep the three points at Links Park.

Anyone who doubted Hall's ability to turn things around at Links Park must be well and truly convinced now, as this is surely the best football we have seen from a Montrose side in a generation. Determination, committment and supreme fitness contributed to a great performance today, with Montrose dominating all areas of the pitch by the end of the match.

With around five minutes to go, there was a move on the right side of the park which had six or seven one-touch passes which was almost Brazillian in its style. Although promotion seems like too much for Montrose this season, if Henry can keep the players he has, surely we can be optimistic for next season.

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Teams

Montrose: Butter, Donachie, McQuillan, Stuart Ferguson, Elliot Smith, Webster, Kerrigan, Smart, Sharp, Michie, Wood.

Subs: Greig Smith, Henderson, Hall, Farnan, Hankinson.

Peterhead: Mathers, Good, Raeside, Perry, McGuinness, MacKay, Tindal, Johnston, Roddie, Iain Stewart, Bavidge.

Subs: Bain, Smith, Duncan Stewart, Trialist, Farquhar

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BBC Sport Report