Match Report - By Steven Mew

Following back to back wins in recent weeks, City were brought back down to earth after a crushing derby defeat at the hands of Montrose yesterday afternoon.

With his options severely limited due to a lengthy injury list, Barry Smith stuck with the same side that defeated Raith last weekend. A trialist striker was drafted into the squad which boosted the numbers on the bench to 4.

City got off to a nightmare start as the hosts opened the scoring with just a few minutes on the clock. Lewis Milne headed against the top of the bar from Iain Campbell's corner - the ball clipped off the bar again and dropped kindly for PAUL WATSON who smashed home from a few yards out.

Shortly after, Martin Rennie - who netted a double in the last fixture between the sides, headed wide from Graham Websters cross.

The game would turn on its head as City netted a quickfire double to put themselves in front. On 13 minutes a cross whipped in by Sean Burns from the left was met by Kavanagh who was denied by Fleming, however the ball fell for EUAN SMITH who made no mistake from 5 yards. After failing to score in three and a half seasons at the club, Smith now had 2 in the space of a week!

Just three minutes later City got their noses in front. The home side failed to clear their lines following Sinclair's corner and LEWIS TOSHNEY'S volley from the edge of the box squirmed under the body of Fleming and into the net.

Shortly before the half hour mark, the home side were back on level terms. City failed to deal with Iain Campbell's free kick into the box and PAUL WATSON grabbed his second with a splendid acrobatic volley into the corner.

Campbell's delivery into the box was causing City problems and this time Bolochoweckyj headed over the bar from another cross.

The Gable Endies were not to be denied as they went back in front on 33 minutes. Campbell was the architect again as his cross from flicked into the far corner by unmarked EUAN HENDERSON with the City defence in disarray.

City started the second half brightly and should have been back on level terms when an inviting cross from Thomson was headed narrowly over the bar by Ross Kavanagh.

Jackson then crossed to the back post for the advancing Kalvin Orsi but the ball didn't quite sit up for him and his volley flew over the bar. Shortly after, Euan Smith - who appeared to be enjoying a more advanced position in the middle of the park, cut inside before dragging his shot wide.

This was as good as it got for City in the second half as the hosts started to take control. Sean Dillon found Webster in the box who saw his initial effort blocked before blasting over at the second attempt.

With 15 minutes remaining, Montrose grabbed a fourth goal to more or less put the game beyond doubt. On loan Aberdeen defender RYAN HARRINGTON exchanged passes with Lewis Milne and took advantage of some slack defending to lash a volley past O'Neil in the City goal.

The home side were not finished there and they added a fifth goal five minutes later to put the icing on the cake. A searching ball from Lewis Milne found Webster on the right hand side - his low cross found substitute CRAIG JOHNSTON who converted from a few yards out.

The scoreline could have easily been worse for City as Iain Campbell's 25 free kick a few minutes later looked to have crossed the line after hitting the underside of the bar, but no goal given.

With a few minutes remaining, Barry Smith made a double substitution with Aron Lynas and a trialist striker coming on for Andy Jackson and Ross Kavanagh respectively but they were unable to make an impact in the closing stages as Montrose ran out comfortable winners.

It proved to yet another disappointing derby result for City who have now lost to their nearest neighbours on all 3 occasions this season. Due to East Fife's involvement in the Scottish Cup, City are out of action next weekend which, given the number of injuries at the moment, may work to our advantage.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League One

Airdrieonians 2 Dumbarton 2

All square at the Penny Cars Stadium.

Raith Rovers 1 Forfar Athletic 1

Late John Baird equaliser salvages a point for Forfar at Starks Park.