The Links Park management know that progress into the third round of the cup could lead to an attractive and money-spinning tie.

But to do that, the club has to put to bed once and for all their disappointing performances in cup ties in recent years – which will be easier said than done against a prolific Huntly team.

So far this season, they've scored a goal for every 30 minutes of play, which compares to one every 69 minutes for the Gable Endies.

It's understandable then that Kenny and everyone else at Links Park isn't taking the match for granted.

He said: "In my opinion Saturday is the most important game of the season and it won't be easy. They knocked Peterhead out and if anyone feels that they're turning up to roll over they may as well not come to the stadium.

"This is going to be a tough, tough game and we're going to need our terrific supporters on Saturday. We had 570 supporters at Links Park – the best crowd of the year - on Saturday and they've really been fantastic. They gave the players, ourselves and the board a real lift and they do every week.

"They'll be our12th man when we play Huntly and we'l really need them to cheer us right to the final whistle."

To win, Montrose will have to lift themselves from a disappointing defeat on Saturday after losing 2-1 to Dumbarton against the run of play.

Montrose had more than their share of possession, but the team could not convert that into chances or goals.

But while Montrose's majority shareholder said he was let down with the result, he was more frustrated that sections of the press falsely stated he himself picked the team for Saturday's game, particularly after having to dismiss rumours that he had interfered with team selection earlier this month.

He said: "It was disappointing that people are determined to say that Kenny Black picked the side. I didn't.

"We, by that I mean (voluntary youth coach) Steve Adams, the players and myself, all agreed that we'd go with the exact same team that won our last game. We lost Tiny (Paul Stewart) with a viral infection and that was the only change.

"I realise people have to sell newspapers and if it is factual, fine. All we done is pick the team that won our last game. Why would you do anything different?"

Black said Montrose needed to learn lessons from Saturday's defeat to the Sons, but defended the team's performance as he feels nobody passes the ball as well as the Gable-Endies in the Third Division.

"I don't think the boys played badly on Saturday and we passed the ball really well. I wouldn't blame any one person for our goals. We play as a unit - we win together and we lose together.

"We could say there were mistakes before the goals that led to them, but that's football.

"I get the feeling that sometimes people think we don't hurt after a loss. When you lose your weekend is spoiled.

"It is a difficult time but we've got to take every game as it comes and the (manager] situation will resolve itself."

With Montrose's inability to convert possession into goals this season, it will come as no surprise to supporters to discover that the club has been hunting for a tall striker to complement the Baird, Anson and Hunter in attack.

However with strikers in that mould in scarce supply – and Garry Wood rapidly making a name for himself at Inverness CT with a goal against Celtic on Saturday – that hunt could take some time.

In the meantime, the players currently at Links Park will work hard on finishing and creating chances in training.

Stewart should be fit to return to the squad for Saturday's tie against Huntly, but Stephen Thomson is likely to miss out through injury and Roddy Hunter will miss out after a family bereavement.