The game kicked off twenty minutes late as the visitors were delayed by an accident on the A9 but the lack of warm up time didn't seem to bother them and for the first 15 minutes, Montrose were pinned back in their own half and struggling to contain the Highlanders.

Some backs to the wall defending was in order and Montrose did well to weather the storm while only conceding one score to the visitors caused by a quick change of direction and exploiting an overlap that left no opportunity for Montrose to defend.

Montrose began to work their way back into the game and put some attacks together. Winger Dougie Gunn was unlucky not to score after a break by Russell Morrow which opened up a gap that Baxter and Bradley were able to use to make 40 yards. Gunn was tackled on the try line and some panic in the Strathspey ranks led to a penalty that Graeme Ramsay slotted over to make the score 3 - 5.

Montrose scored again five minutes later, another Ramsay penalty, which put them in front for the first time.

A head knock to Marc Scoular brought on Colin Brennan on the half hour and Montrose were able to contain Strathspey but not able to make any further inroads and the score stayed the same until half-time.

Two changes were made at half-time - Scoular went back on for Brennan and Gunn made way for Craig Hogg.

Montrose started the second half brightly and started to make some ground - Scoular, Mitchell and McIntosh all made good runs and the Montrose pack held their own in the scrum and lineout. In 55 minutes a lucky bouce from a kick let the Strathspey number 10 in to score at the touchline. He converted his own score to give the visitors a 12 - 6 lead.

For the next 10 minutes the game slowed down as Montrose began to grind away at their opposition looking for an opening to exploit. They were rewarded with a penalty right in front of the post which Ramsay had no problems with and this brought Montrose back into the game 9 - 12 down.

Montrose kept up the pressure and were looking the more comfortable side when with an excellent piece of skill, the Strathspey 10 kicked a drop goal from 40 yards out to make the score 9 - 15. With only 10 minutes to go, the Montrose men had a mountain to climb.

Greg McIntosh was replaced on 70 minutes by Montrose legend Alistair Grove-White making his comeback after three years of retirement. Hopefully this wasn't a fleeting appearance and his skills will be on display for the rest of the season!!

The home team did not go quietly and gave their all trying to find a chink in the Strathspey armour but the visitors were determined to hold on to their lead and managed to keep Montrose at bay until with two minutes to go, skipper Andy Baxter charged down a kick, retrieved the ball and ran in a try under the posts from well inside the Montrose half. Ramsay kicked again to give a relieved home side a 16 - 15 win.

It is 2nd v 4th next week when Montrose travel to Dundee to face Harris FPs. Montrose have a game in hand and another win would put them in an excellent position for their game against league leaders Alloa the week after.

Thanks to Neil of Watt the Butcher for refreshments.

Murray, Taylor Man of the Match was Andy Baxter.

Montrose: Marc Scoular, Andy Duncan, Euan Christie, Greg McIntosh, Jamie Gardiner, Stuart Mitchell, Jamie Shakespeare, Chris Allison, Mark Bradley, Russell Morrow, Dougie Gunn, Stuart Dickson, Andy Baxter, Aaron Gove, Graeme Ramsay, Colin Brennan, Craig Hogg, Alistair Grove-White.