Stirling Albion 0, Montrose 1

A STUNNING strike by Derek Grant eight minutes from time took

second-division Montrose to the semi-finals of the B & Q Cup last night.

The striker pounced on a loose ball 20 yards from goal and fired the

ball into the corner of the net.

It was his eighth goal of the season, but certainly the most valuable.

Montrose deserve full credit for their win, having survived determined

Stirling pressure in the first half.

Inspired by veteran Cammy Fraser, they forced the first-division

outfit on to the defensive after the break and their winner was just

reward for their efforts.

Stirling were left to regret missed chances, particularly in the first

half when they failed to find a way past keeper Dave Larter.

But Montrose almost made a sensational start after 40 seconds when

Albion keeper Stuart Robertson misjudged a pass back from Doug Lawrie,

but Mark Craib failed to take advantage.

Stirling went close a minute later when Paul Armstrong rifled a shot

just wide of the target.

At the other end, Larter made an instinctive save Fraser.

And moments later it was the turn of Robertson, who saved well from

Neil Irvine.

Stirling wasted two good scoring chances midway through the first half

when Vinnie Moore and then Adrian McKenna went through with only the

keeper to beat.

The home side maintained the pressure and it took marvellous saves by

Larter to prevent Moore and Colin Mitchell from opening the scoring.

Substitute Martin Allan had a golden chance to put the Links Park side

ahead just before half-time but Robertson stopped his effort.

Graham Forbes shot over the bar as Montrose pressed after the restart.

Then Irvine had the goal at his mercy after 65 minutes but delayed his

shot and the chance was lost.