A headed goal from Sean Dillon with 19 minutes gone proved to be enough to give Montrose a narrow win at Links Park and our first league defeat of the campaign.

There were three changes to the starting line up which had gone down at Tannadice in midweek with Rutherford, Stirling and Syme returning while McInally, Buchanan and Connelly dropped down to the bench.

Montrose had four former Cowden men starting – Allan Fleming, Iain Campbell, Martyn Fotheringham and Liam Callaghan while Craig Johnston came off the bench.

It was a quite opening to the game but Montrose broke the deadlock when a short corner from Fotheringham was flicked home by DILLON at the near post, despite the best efforts of Syme who could only head the ball against the ball as he attempted to clear.

McGovern then had to be alert to save a Templeman shot, then soon after we were dealt a blow when Mullen went off injured.

Templeman then once again came close heading just over from a Campbell corner.

Syme was then booked for a foul on Webster with Redman of the home side also being booked for over protesting.

Webster, who had been struggling following the clash, was eventually replaced by Johnston.

The second half opened with both Rutherford and Muirhead sending shots off target as we looked for an equaliser.

At the other end midway through McGovern saved from Watson and in 71 minutes a shot from Steeves came off the bar as the Gable Endies came close to a second goal.

Brad Smith then had a couple of shots on goal with the first from the edge of the box crashing off the bar and rebound going well over.

TEAM: McGovern, Pyper, Rutherford, Stirling (Buchanan 64), Rumsby, Syme, A Smith, Mullen (Miller 23), Muirhead, B Smith & Swann (Connelly 64). Subs not used – McGurn, McInally, Morris & Denton.

Booked: Syme (34), Stirling (44), Rutherford (87).

MONTROSE: Fleming, Steeves, Dillon, Ballantyne, I Campbell, Fotheringham (Watson 67), Redman, Callaghan, Webster (Johnston 39), Templeman & McLaren (Hay 74). Subs not used – Millar, Allan, R Campbell & Thomson.

Goal: Dillon (19).

Booked: Redman (35), Johnston (88).