MONTROSE 0 SHIRE 1

It may not have been spectacular but Shire’s return to action after a six week weather-enforced break was solid and, more to the point, brought a welcome win at bottom side Montrose.

The basis, not for the first time this season, was solid defence and it was quite appropriate that one of the back line, Michael Bolochoweckyj, should get the all-important clinching goal.

Victory keeps the winning run going, it now stands at five matches and, just as importantly, moves the team level on points with league leaders, Livingston.

Shire had to make several changes to the starting eleven for their first competitive match in six weeks. The more than month of indoor training had taken its toll, leaving skipper Craig Tully and striker Simon Lynch on the sidelines. In addition Paul Weaver, an ever-present this season, was absent following the birth of his first child earlier in the week.

That meant re-calls for Stephen McGuire, who partnered Andy Rodgers up front, and Paul Hay. Surprisingly, he was given a wide right berth in midfield while Craig Donaldson was allowed to continue in the right-back role normally occupied by the former Stirling Albion man.

There was one new face in the starting eleven as Ryan Harding at last got the nod, although coach Jim McInally asked the former Morton player to perform the midfield holding role that is Tully’s normal beat.

Montrose made by far the livelier opening as you might expect from the less ring-rusty of the two sides. Within a minute Paul Tosh was in behind the visiting defence but he lofted his shot just over the bar from the edge of the box.

The league’s bottom team were showing plenty of spirit and a third minute Tomana corner was only cleared with some difficulty. Then, on 10 minutes, Tosh funnelled the ball out to Nicholas but before he could get a shot away from what was a promising position he was closed down by the Shire defence.

Shire took time to find their stride but might have taken the lead on 19 minutes when Andy Rodgers forced a great full-length diving save from McNeil with a shot from the edge of the box.

Not that they had to wait long to take the lead. A Jamie Stevenson corner went long and was played back in by Derek Ure and fired home by Michael Bolochoweckyj from the six yard line.

The goal sparked Shire up and twice Rodgers had shots from the edge of the box that went wide. The team’s play was improving and two crosses from wide on the right, one from Harding and the other from Stevenson, provided Ure with headers but both went over the bar.

A minute before the interval a free-kick into the Shire box had Jamie Barclay scrambling to save and, in the ensuing melee, Dean Richardson’s attempted clearance smacked off Eddie Forrest’s face and away from goal.

Referee Scott McDonald then required treatment from Shire physio Stevie O’Neill before concluding a hard-fought first period.

During the interval it was confirmed the ref was unfit to continue and was replaced by one of his linesmen, with a member of the crowd taking on the responsibilities of the far side flag man.

Shire continued on the front foot and a long ball out of defence sent McGuire clear and although his long distance finish found the back of the net his spectacular effort was ruled out for offside.

A minute later, though, Shire should have gone 2-0 clear when a long pass from Hay split the Montrose defence for Rodgers to run onto. The Shire striker took the ball into the box but with only the keeper to beat he shanked his shot wide of target.

After 63 minutes McGuire was withdrawn and replaced by Lynch and almost scored with his first effort at goal. Rodgers did the spadework with a good run and cross down the left which Lynch headed over from ten yards.

After 71 minutes a free-koick from Hay fired from inside his own half found Bolochoweckyj at the back post but his header was just the wrong side of the upright and rippled the sidenetting.

Barely three minutes later a lovely bit of skill from Stevenson at the back edge of the box created the time and space for a shot but it curled just wide of the far post.

MONTROSE : McNeil, Milligan, Trialist, Maitland(Nicol 75), Campbell, Crighton, Tomana, Davidson, Tosh(Gemmell 63), Hegarty, Nicholas.

SHIRE : Barclay, Harding, Richardson, Forrest, Bolochoweckuj, Hay, Donaldson, Stevenson, McGuire(Lynch 63), Ure(Dunn 77), Rodgers(McKenzie 82).

REFEREE : S. McDonald.

ATTENDANCE : 310.