Montrose were the better team throughout, but in the end they did well to hold on and ensure they would go into the second leg at Stair Park on level terms.

Jim Weir had a full squad to choose from and he went with McLeod and Buchan in central defence and Cumming and Forsyth in the full-back positions.

Gibson and Davidson were in centre midfield with Doris on the right and Stein on the left and Baird and Wood were paired up front.

The Montrose bench had a powerful look to it with Black, Hunter, Gardiner and Stewart alongside keeper McKenzie.

Montrose were up for it from the start and in two minutes an inswinging corner from Baird was touched over by keeper Black.

In 14 minutes, Davidson fed Stein on the left and his cross was first-timed over the crossbar by Baird.

The home continued to attack with some great passing play, but the ball just wouldn't fall for them at the crucial moment.

In 25 minutes, Wood got the ball to Stein and from his cross, Doris had a header saved.The home pressure told when they took the lead in 27 minutes. Baird crossed from the left and Garry Wood glanced a header past the keeper.

Montrose suffered an injury blow in 29 minutes when Craig Forsyth went off and was replaced by Ross Gardiner.

In 31 minutes, Doris exchanged passes with Wood and fired over. A minute later, Gibson put Doris away on the right and from his cutback, Baird shot wide on the near post.

Stranraer had their first chance of the game in 34 minutes when Mullen fired over from good position.

Doris headed down a corner to Wood and the striker just couldn't turn to get a shot in a few yards out, then in 40 minutes, a Baird shot took a deflection and dipped just over the bar.

A Gibson free-kick was sliced into the air by a defender then scrambled clear, then Stein was the meat in a Stranraer sandwich, but the referee said no penalty.

In 45 minutes, Mullen became the first booking for elbowing Gardiner.

In stoppage-time at the break, a Stein free-kick was deflected wide.
Montrose had totally dominated the first half. They had ten efforts at goal and forced nine corners.

Chris McLeod had injured an ankle just before half-time and he had to be replaced. Gardiner switched to central defence, Jay Stein dropped to an unfamiliar left-back role and Stephen Black went on on the left flank.

Three minutes into the second half, Stranraer had their first shot on target when Mullen forced a save from Peat.

Black blazed a shot well over, then Baird stabbed a Davidson effort over the bar but was offside anyway.

Disaster struck in 54 minutes when Peat left his box to try to kick clear but could only kick the ball straight to McConologue and he stuck it into the empty net. The Stranraer players charged through the Montrose technical area in their celebration and before play resumed, Jim Weir was sent to the stand, apparently for getting involved with them.

Things got increasingly towsy and after a midfield flare-up, Keith Gibson was booked, swiftly followed by White for a foul on Gibson.

Baird headed over from a Stein free-kick, then Baird drove wide from a Wood lay-off.

In 68 minutes, Peat redeemed himself with a fine save from McConologue.

In 79 minutes, Baird was sent off for a lunging challenge. The striker actually made contact with the ball, but referee Freeland decided it was worthy of a red card.

The ten men kept attacking and in 86 minutes an overhead kick from Gibson sneaked through a crowded box and hit the post.

In stoppage-time, Tade was booked for a foul on Peat.

Montrose: Peat, Buchan, Forsyth (Gardiner), McLeod (Black), Cumming, Gibson, Doris, Davidson, Wood, Baird, Stein. Subs: Hunter, Stewart, McKenzie.