In a hard fought match, both sides had good chances to win the game but in the end it was Cowdenbeath who took their opportunities rather than Montrose.
Despite the defeat Montrose played well and did well to fight back after losing the first go
al. In the end a great solo effort from Paul McQuade was all that separated the sides.
It was Montrose's first defeat since losing to Cowdenbeath in a Co-Operative Insurance Cup tie in early August.
Montrose made one change to the side that defeat East Stirlingshire 3 – 0 the previous week. With Steven Doris back at St Johnstone his place was taken by Chris Hegarty. Hegarty took up a central midfield role with Paul Stewart moving to the right wing.
Roddy Hunter and Chris McLeod took places on the bench alongside John Maitland, Keith Gibson and goalkeeper Mark Peat.
Jay Stein was a familiar face in the Cowdenbeath line up as he started his first match for the home side since moving to Central Park from Montrose late last month.
In the fourth minute a fine pass from Hegarty sent Baird racing into the box with Cowdenbeath claiming offside. He cut the ball back but it was played out for a corner before it could reach Anson.
With eleven minutes gone Scott Anson headed a Bradley corner across the face of the goal but there was nobody from Montrose on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Montrose won a free kick when Anson was fouled. The Gable Endies tried to take the kick quickly but were stopped from doing so by Jay Stein who was promptly booked by the referee.
When Chris Hegarty finally took the kick, Bradley got in a header, which was saved by Gallacher.
In the 34th minute Cowdenbeath opened the scoring. McQuade picked up a pass on the right and skipped into the box Thomson wasn't able to get in a tackle and his cross to the near post was fired home by Gemmell. It was the first time Montrose had fallen behind in a league fixture this season.
Montrose tried to hit back straight away and Kevin Bradley went on a solo run which took him past three players but from outside the box he could only fire well over the crossbar.
A dangerous cross from Fleming put Montrose under more pressure but McLauchlan did well to head clear.
On the stroke of half-time Montrose equalised with a well-worked goal. Stewart came in field and passed to Davidson he in turn found Hegarty whose pass found John Baird inside the box and he took a touch before burying the ball into the bottom corner of the net for his second goal of the season. This kept up Montrose's record of having scored in every league match this season.
In 50 minutes, Montrose won a free kick in a good position after Bradley was fouled. He took the kick himself but Hodge rose to clear the danger.
in 55 minutes Cowdenbeath claimed a penalty kick when Gemmell tumbled on the edge of the area after McLauchlan challenged him. Referee Salmond rightly waved play on and the ball found itself back in the arms of Greg Kelly.
A great piece of skill from Baird saw him control the ball and play an instant pass which saw Bradley race into the area and find the unmarked Paul Stewart. With only the keeper to beat, Stewart took one touch too many and Hay managed to block his shot.
In 66 minutes, Montrose went close to scoring. A McLauchlan header was cleared but only as far as Stewart who volleyed the ball across the goal to Anson at the back post and his volley was well blocked by keeper Gallacher. The goal wouldn't have counted as the assistant's flag was up for offside.
Sixty seconds later Bradley passed the ball inside to Stewart who was in on goal but his shot was again blocked.
With 68 minutes gone Montrose made their first change of the match sending on Keith Gibson in central midfield in place of Chris Hegarty.
Montrose were made to pay for their missed chances when Cowdenbeath regained the lead in the 71st minute. McQuade was able to pick the ball up on the right wing. He cut inside four challenges, broke into the box and fired a low effort under Kelly and into the net.
With five minutes left Montrose made a second change when Chris McLeod went on for Paul Stewart. The centre half moved up front alongside Baird and Anson.
With time running out Montrose made their final change when Roddy Hunter replaced John Baird.
In the 88th minute Montrose were reduced to ten men for the fourth time this season. Chris McLeod hit Fleming with a reckless tackle and was sent off for the second time in three games. He had been on the park for only three minutes.
Cowdenbeath held on to claim all three points to move above Montrose into second spot.
Montrose: Kelly 6, Worrell 6, Thomson 6, McLauchlan 6, Buchan 7, Hegarty 6 (Gibson), Stewart 6 (McLeod), Davidson 6, Anson 5, Baird 7 (Hunter), Bradley 7. Subs: Maitland, Peat.
The full article contains 914 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
