Fifers stutter as Gable Endies grab top spot

Stewart Petrie saw his Montrose side hit the summit of League One after a 2-0 win at East Fife – but he insists nobody around Links Park will be getting carried away.

The Gable Endies convincingly saw off the Fifers at the weekend leaving Darren Young’s side still scrambling for their first league win of the new campaign.

Goals either side of the break from Graham Webster and Cammy Ballantyne were enough for the Angus men to win all three points and with it a place at the top of the league.

Petrie was delighted with his side’s stylish performance.

He said: “East Fife started really well and, if it wasn’t for Allan Fleming, we’d be two goals behind – he made a couple of fantastic saves.

“But goals change games and Graham pops up with a stunning finish which gives us a bit of confidence and after that we were better.

“In the second half we changed our shape, went three at the back, and I thought we were pretty solid.”

East Fife started well and went close to taking the lead when Allan Fleming was called into action to block Kyle Connell’s close range header. Connell was leading the home attack well and he again pulled a terrific save out of Fleming on 23 minutes.

It was against the run of play that Montrose took the lead.

East Fife gifted away possession deep inside their own half.

Webster collected the ball and raced into the Fife box before curling a magnificent shot out of Scott Gallacher’s reach.

To make matters worse for the Fifers they lost the lively Connell through injury as half-time approached.

Montrose maintained their high tempo after the interval and almost doubled their lead through Webster and Blair Lyons who both went close.

Montrose deserved their second goal when it arrived 15 minutes from time.

Lyons had plenty of space on the wing and sent an inviting ball into the box which Ballantyne met and converted.

East Fife boss Young says his side must develop a mean streak in both attack and defence.

“The game’s gone and we want to get three points in the next game at home to Peterhead,” he said.

“For the first 30 minutes we created chances but, at the moment, we’re not being ruthless in the opposition box or our own box.

“That’s not a good combination.

“The players know what’s being asked of them. Everybody knows the game plan and how we want to play so there are no excuses.

“Other teams are doing better and punishing us for the slightest mistake.”