Montrose 2-1 Stenhousemuir

Mar 30 2008 Jack Robertson At Links Park

LOAN star Steven Doris bagged a crucial goal to help Montrose all but seal their play-off place then admitted dropping down two divisions is the best move he's ever made.

The 19-year-old St Johnstone striker had seen the likes of Andy Jackson blossom after being farmed out by Saints and asked if he could also go out on loan and gain some valuable first-team experience.

And after another classy showing for Montrose, Doris is delighted at the way things have worked out since his switch to Links Park last October.

He said: "I have watched other players like Andy go out and get better by playing in a first team and chasing promotion with Montrose has been great for me.

"I knew Jim Weir from when he was skipper at St Johnstone and that was one of the main reasons I was keen to play here.

"Iit would be brilliant to help the club get into the Second Division.

"It was magic to score against Stenny and to receive so much applause from the fans, who were brilliant.

"I just took a gamble with my header and fortunately it paid off."

Montrose needed a freak own goal to earn the points but delighted boss Weir said: "My players showed immense character to come back from behind to win in what was a really tough test.

"I'm pleased we created so many chances and the header from Steven was class."

Stenhousemuir had arrived desperately needing a win to revive their own play-off hopes and took the lead in 22 minutes through Ian Harty.

A quickly-taken free-kick by Craig McEwan found Brian McLaughlin and the ex-Celtic man's cross picked out Harty, the striker finishing with a brave diving header.

Montrose tried to hit back and Doris got to Chris Hegarty's deep cross but Ally Brown smothered the ball on the line.

The Warriors were seeing a lot of the ball in the middle of the park with Steven Ferguson knocking the passes about. And they nearly doubled their lead when Harty used his strength to hold off two defenders but Mark Peat saved his 18-yard drive.

But it was Montrose who were to strike next when Doris powered a header into the net from Garry Wood's perfect cross four minutes from the break.

And Doris nearly put his side in front in the last seconds of the half with an audacious shot from out wide that clipped the bar.

But the home side didn't have to wait long to get their noses in front although the goal five minutes after the restart came from an unexpected quarter.

Craig Forsyth fired in a cross and luckless defender Willie Lyle sliced his clearance into his own net.

Midfielder Keith Gibson then went close with a shot that crashed back off the bar.

John Coughlin threw on Jose Quitongo late on to try and conjure up an equaliser but Montrose held firm.

The Warriors gaffer said: "We nearly went 2-0 up at one point but Montrose were much better and in the second-half could have added to their lead.

"They are a really good side and have a great chance of promotion."

HERO

ON-LOAN St Johnstone kid Steven Doris was a stand-out. Got the equaliser and produced some really exciting moments of skill that delighted the home support.

VILLAIN

UNLUCKY Stenny defender Willie Lyle had a day to forget with a bizarre own-goal froman attempted clearance plus a booking making it a horror 90 minutes for him.