By Gary McKenzie
November 23 2003

Tennents Scottish Cup First Round, Saturday 22 November 2003, Links Park, Montrose. MONTROSE 1 (Wood (50)) ALBION ROVERS 1 (Mercer (25)) Henry Hall's first game after being given the manager's job saw Montrose take the field with a settled look.

The home side seized control quickly, and took the game to Rovers, but the Coatbridge side went in front against the run of play after 25 minutes. Mercer stabbed the ball past Butter when the ball was knocked down into his path from a cross from the right.

Montrose looked stunned, but kept the pressure on the Rovers, with some good flowing movement and dogged pressing of the ball.

The crowd were enjoying a fine cup-tie, with some good-hearted banter amongst themselves and with Rovers boss, Hetherston, back in the dugout after his ban.

Mark Yardley's ample frame also attracted some cutting comments and the big fellow served his team well up front.

Montrose went in one down at half-time, having dominated the 45.

However, it took Martin Wood only five minutes to draw the sides level with a beautiiful curling strike from the edge of the box round a stranded Bennett in the Rovers goal.

Montrose were going for it now and wave after wave of attack was inflicted on the Rovers goal.

Montrose sent on Sharp, Smart and Farnan for Black, Gibson and Wood as they looked for the winner, and were unlucky when Donachie had a fine drive come off the inside of the post and out again.

Then Sharp was sent through into the penalty area only for the keeper to pull off a fine diving save.

So the game ended level, with Montrose perhaps feeling they should have buried the tie. The teams have to do it all again at Cliftonhill ("Stadium" according to the half-time tannoy!) next Saturday.

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Teams

Montrose: Butter, Donachie, McQuillan, Ferguson, Elliot Smith, Kerrigan, Webster, Gibson, Michie, Wood, Black

Subs: Farnan, Sharp, Smart, Simpson, Hankinson.

Albion: Bennett, Paterson, Smith, McCaig, Stirling, McAllister, McBride, McCaul, Mercer, Yardley, McManus.

Subs: Cormack, Malloy, Valentine, McKenzie, Fahey

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BBC Sport Report