By Gary McKenzie
November 15 2005

Scottish Football League Division Three, Saturday 12 November 2005, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 0 COWDENBEATH 1 (Paatelainen (3)). On the day when our rivals were thumping the league leaders at Gayfield, Montrose went down by the narrowest of margins to the Paatelainen brothers.

Big Mixu was in the dugout for the blue Brazil, while brother Markus ran the show on the park. The Fifers must be overjoyed at progress under the big Finn after the Dave Baikie's departure earlier this year.

Indeed it started in textbook fashion for Cowden. They won a corner on the right in 3 minutes and took it short. Baxter curled in a cross which was knocked home by PAATELAINEN for the opener.

Montrose were stunned but tried to force their way back.

Guy should really have picked up a booking in 9 minutes for a kick at Webster and Ritchie could have joined him for the visitors 6 minutes later for a foul on the same player.

Dodds finally had the mo's first shot at goal in 24 minutes . Hay made a bit of a meal of it in the goal, but gathered at the second attempt.

This really was a poor match and the Mo were struggling to make any sort of impact.

The relief of half-time gave way to more misery in the second. Cowenbeath hit the bar in 48 minutes then Stephen picked up the Mo's first booking in 52 minutes for a foul.

Smith came close for the Mo in 58 minutes when he cracked in a long range shot that was tipped over by Hay.

Martin was subbed by McLean in 60 minutes. The big striker really doesn't look fit yet.

Wilson came on for Millar for the visitors.

In 64 minutes, Doyle replaced McKenzie and 3 minutes later, Fraser replaced Cargill, who had been poor in midfield.

In 73 minutes, the visitors scored but it was chalked off for offside.

Smith was next in the book for the Mo after a foul in 79 minutes, and Ritchie followed him in 85 minutes. Krobot replaced Guy for Cowdenbeath.

With 2 minutes to go, Neil Stephen made a reckless challenge at the visitors' corner flag and was given a second yellow and a red card.

Hill replaced McBride with seconds remaining and Hall was booked for dissent in injury time.

Teams

Montrose

Reid, Donachie, Smith, McKenzie, Stephen, Dodds, Webster, Cargill, Henslee, Martin, Hall

Subs: Doyle, Fraser, Watson, McLean, Butter

Cowdenbeath

Hay, Baxter, McBride, Ward, Ritchie, Guy, Millar, Paatelainen, McCallum, Jackson, Buchanan

Subs: Hill, McGregor, Wilson, Krobot, Carlin