Elgin 2-1 Montrose

Jan 27 2008 David Gray Reports

ELGIN snatched a late winner to put a dent in Montrose's promotion hopes - and leave Links Park boss Jim Weir fuming.

Martin Charlesworth was the Borough Briggs hero, netting the goals that claimed the points after Chris McLeod had given Montrose the lead.

Weir pointed the finger at his misfiring frontmen and said: "It was embarrassing.

"The players must take responsibility - the strikers had a real off day. It was incredibly poor finishing.

"We should have won that game out of the park but we paid the price for missing chances and then losing two very soft goals. The players know how I feel, I'm not happy because we dominated."

Explaining 16-goal top scorer John Baird's absence from the team, Weir said: "He took himself out of today's game with his indiscipline."

Montrose looked the more assertive side from the start and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 15 minutes.

Ex-Elgin player Stephen Black swung in a corner from the right and centre-half McLeod rose to power a header past keeper Ally Ridgers.

However, against the run of play, the hosts pulled level in 27 minutes. Charlesworth got on the end of Mark Nicolson's cross to tap home.

Another chance for Montrose fell to on-loan Gretna youngster Fraser McLaren but his closerange effort hit Ridgers in the face before the danger was cleared.

Montrose started the second period on the offensive again and the Elgin keeper thwarted Keith Gibson twice in as many minutes.

Garry Wood was next to try his luck for Montrose but missed a great opportunity to put his side in front again when he nodded Ian Dobbins' cross wide from close range.

Eight minutes later a McLaren shot looped on to the Elgin bar and Wood's follow-up went straight at Ridgers.

Montrose, who had almost totally dominated the second half, were stunned after 79 minutes when City took the lead.

On-loan Caley Thistle winger Zander Sutherland skinned McLeod and Charlesworth smashed home a left-foot effort.

Delighted Elgin manager Robbie Williamson hailed his team's first win of the year.

He said: "That was a massive three points against a very good Montrose side sitting second in the league.

"I can't praise my players highly enough and I'm delighted for Martin, he's a boy who has a lot of ability and pace."