Montrose 0 Gretna 4

Last updated : 23 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer

League champions Gretna cruised to another victory, firing four goals past Montrose.

Gretna attacked from the start and should have scored after 10 minutes when Kenny Deuchar missed the target with a close-range header. They were unlucky after 20 minutes when Chris Innes struck the bar with a header from a Gavin Skelton corner. A minute later Deuchar headed wide from another Skelton corner.

Gretna finally opened the scoring after 33 minutes when Derek Townsley rose to head home a Skelton corner.

After 37 minutes Townsley went close again, but his header was seized by James Butter.

Four minutes from half-time David Nicholls smashed a shot off the Montrose bar and three minutes later Butter made a fine save to deny Skelton.

Gretna made it 2-0 after 55 minutes when the ball broke for David Nicholls to score from 25 yards. When Montrose tried to reply, Alan Main did well to save from Graeme Sharp, but play was quickly back at the other end and Butter had to save at the feet of Deuchar.

Minutes later Martin Wood had an opportunity for Montrose, but his 20-yards free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall.

Gretna continued to create chances, and Skelton should have added to their tally in the 72nd minute after a header from Kenny Deuchar struck the crossbar. They scored their third after 83 minutes when David Graham crossed for Deuchar to head home.

Gretna wrapped things up two minutes from time when Deuchar headed home after Ryan McGuffie created the opening.