Stranraer 0-2 Montrose

Jan 6 2008 Chris Sanderson At Stair Park

MONTROSE double hero John Baird hailed his team's heroic defence after they survived an onslaught to set up a smash-and-grab success. Hitman Baird made it 13 goals for the season with two lethal late finishes - one from the spot - to stun Stranraer who were guilty of blowing countless chances.

Chief culprit was Michael Mullen who missed a first-half penalty as his side slipped five points behind second-placed Montrose in the promotion race.

Baird said: "Stranraer is always a hard place to come so get maximum points is brilliant. It was a real backs-to-the-wall performance but when the chances came we took them. Our defence was superb and soaked up everything Stranraer threw at us."

With the strong wind at their backs Stranraer almost got off to a flier in the third minute when Alex White's cross-cum-shot caught keeper Mark Peat napping and he was forced to back pedal and push the ball over.

In the best move of the half John Kane found Gregory Tade on the edge of the box and the French midfielder intelligently teed up Mullen who should have found the target instead of stabbing wide.

Mullen was left red-faced again four minutes later when he spurned a glorious chance.

Ref Chris Boyle harshly ruled Steven Doris had impeded Ian Cashmore from behind and pointed to the spot. Amid furious protests Boyle booked Chris McLeod and Peat before Mullen screwed his penalty well wide.

Stranraer continued to dominate in the second half and Mullen found Tade in space but the midfielder could only find the side netting.

Montrose almost made them pay when Baird passed inside for Keith Gibson to flash an effort off target.

Mullen's miserable afternoon was summed up when he wasted another great opening just after the hour, blazing over from close range.

Montrose were beginning to grow in confidence and Stephen Black then Steven Thomson went close before Boyle awarded his second dubious penalty in 74 minutes.

Stranraer's Gerry McLauchlan clashed with Gary Wood and Baird coolly beat Scott Black from 12 yards.

It was game over five minutes from time as Baird drilled No.2 after Boyle awarded an indirect free-kick when Black picked up a backpass.

Jay Stein rolled the ball to the striker six yards out and he blasted home off the underside of the bar.

Gutted Stranraer manager Gerry Britton said: "I can't fault my lads.

They did everything asked of them but had an off day in front of goal."

Montrose boss Jim Weir admitted his side had got lucky.

He said: "On the balance of play a draw was the fairest result but we nicked it towards the end."

HERO

JOHN BAIRD capped a fine performance with two well-taken goals. The striker's lethal finishing got Montrose out of jail and proved the difference between the promotion-chasing sides.

VILLAIN

MICHAEL MULLEN will have had a sleepless night after his disaster in front of goal. The hitman's botched first-half penalty and two more glaring misses could have had the Blues cruising.