Albion Rovers 0-1 Montrose

Oct 5 2008 Stefan Pavleski Reports

DELIGHTED stand-in Montrose boss Kevin McGowne praised his troops after they ended a difficult week with a hard-fought win.

McGowne took charge at Cliftonhill in the absence of manager Jim Weir - whose position at the club remains a mystery.

It is believed Montrose have parted company with Weir after their first league defeat last week.

McGowne said: "The boys worked really hard in what were difficult circumstances. All the players were signed by Jim and it's disappointing what's going on but I knew the lads wouldn't let if affect them on the park."

Albion started brightly but the first chance fell to the away side although John Baird fired wide.

The home team almost got their reward for a promising start when Marc Tollock's cracking 25-yard drive rattled the bar.

The Gable Endies upped the tempo after the break with Baird going close with a volley that flashed inches over the bar.

Rovers nearly went in front with 15 minutes remaining when Michael McGowan's header was kept out by Greg Kelly.

Less than a minute later Montrose stormed ahead. Kevin Bradley (right) latched on to Steven Thomson's low pass and bundled the ball past keeper David Scott.

Callan Adam should have equalised minutes later but his low strike was saved by Kelly.

Baird came close to adding a second but his stunning free-kick cracked the bar.

Despondent Rovers boss Paul Martin said: "We created a number of good chances but didn't get what we deserved from the match."