The Shire gave Montrose one or two uncomfortable moments, particularly in the first half, but when Jamie Buchan headed Montrose into a 2-0 lead, the game was effectively over as a contest.

Montrose were forced into two changes from the side which started the win at Forfar. The suspended Chris McLeod and the injured Stephen Black dropped out and in came Paul Stewart and Scott Anson.

Jamie Buchan dropped to central defence in place of McLeod and Stewart took over in central midfield. Steven Doris dropped to the wing in place of Black and Anson took his place up front.

Keith Gibson returned after injury to the bench, where he was joined by Hegarty, Maitland, Daryl Nicol and Peat.

Montrose had an early scare in two minutes when East Stirling should have taken the lead. Dunn played in a free-kick and Forrest missed a sitter when he headed wide from six yards.

In nine minutes, a great challenge by Buchan saw him release Baird who won a corner. Bradley sent in the corner and Doris headed wide.

Montrose took the lead with 11 minutes on the clock. Bradley placed a free-kick right on the head of Scott Anson and the big striker nodded home from close range.

McKenzie sent a snapshot wide for East Stirling, then at the other end, a Bradley cross was just missed by Baird.

The visitors went close again in 20 minutes when a header from Bolochoweckyj bounced up off the ground and was tipped over the crossbar by Kelly.

In 24 minutes, Anson headed down a Bradley free-kick and Buchan missed with an attempted volley.

A minute later, keeper Barclay just kept out a Bradley corner. Play continued and Baird had a shot deflected wide.

The tenacious Bradley then fought for the ball and set up Stewart, but he shot over.

Right on the stroke of half-time, East Stirling were awarded a penalty for a challenge by Thomson on Graham. Gary Kelly took the kick, but Greg Kelly was the home hero when he plunged low to his left to save.
Six minutes into the second half, left-back Richardson received a head knock in a clash with his own keeper and Doris and had to be stretchered off.

Play was restarted with a drop-ball and when Anson didn't give the ball back, several of the visiting players lost the plot. Gary Kelly and Anson were both booked for an altercation, then a minute later, Graham hacked down Doris and was also booked.

Montrose made it 2-0 in 58 minutes. Another pinpoint corner from Bradley was met on the near post by Jamie Buchan who powered a header into the net.

Stewart drove over from the edge of the box in 64 minutes, then four minutes later, he was booked for a midfield foul.

East Stirling were reduced to ten men in 71 minutes when Graham collected a second booking for an off-the-ball clash with Baird. Baird was also booked in the same incident.

Two minutes later, Montrose added a third goal. Anson did well to keep the ball from crossing the byeline and his header across goal was nodded into the net by Kevin Bradley.

With the game won, Baird was taken off to keep him out of further trouble and Keith Gibson went on.

Ex-Montrose man Andy Rodgers shot wide for East Stirling, then in 80 minutes, Bradley was booked for dissent as he claimed hand-ball against a defender.

John Maitland replaced Anson in 84 minutes, then two minutes later, Kelly saved well at the feet of McKenzie.

Stewart had the ball in the net but was given offside, then in 88 minutes, young Daryl Nicol went on for Doris.

Montrose: Kelly 8, Worrell 7, Thomson 6, McLauchlan 7, Buchan 7, Stewart 7, Doris 7 (Nicol), Davidson 7, Anson 8 (Maitland), Baird 7 (Gibson), Bradley 8. Subs: Hegarty, Peat.