From the Sunday Mail
Dylan Carreiro celebrates after he scores for Arbroath
Montrose 1 Arbroath 5
ARBROATH keeper David Crawford scored a goal and his opposite number Lucas Birnstingl was sent off in an action-packed Angus derby.
The result means Arbroath hold on to their eight-point lead over Queen’s Park at the top of League Two.
Crawford’s goal came in 78 minutes when he netted with a 75-yard free-kick that bounced over Birnstingl. The ball was clearly moving in the wind before being kicked but the goal stood.
A delighted Arbroath manager Allan Moore said: “We could have been 5-0 up at half-time and I went mental at my strikers for not taking their chances.
“I knew that with the wind behind us in the second half we would have plenty more opportunities.
“We always come on strong in the second half of matches because of our good fitness.
“At 2-0 we were comfortable then let them back into it with a penalty.
“Crawford’s goal clinched it for us but we were never going to lose and were always on top.
“Montrose say the ball was moving, but if our keeper had kicked it to one of their players and they had scored, they would have taken that.”
Arbroath started well and in the opening minute, Dylan Carreiro tested Birnstingl who kept the scores level.
Montrose soon settled and Garry Wood shot just wide in four minutes,
The game was end to end at this stage and Bryan Deasley came close to scoring for the hosts.
Arbroath took the lead in 18 minutes when Bobby Linn fired in a low cross and Simon Murray put the ball in the back of the net from close range. Two minutes into the second half, Deasley missed a chance to equalise when clean through but shot over.
Montrose paid for the miss when Carreiro found the bottom corner to double the visitors lead shortly afterwards.
Montrose got themselves back in the match when Wood netted from the penalty spot after Scott Johnston was fouled by Kevin Nicholl.
Crawford’s long range goal put Arbroath 3-1 up, then on 84 minutes, Birnstingl brought down McManus and was sent off. Montrose goalscorer Wood took the gloves but was unable to prevent McManus from extending Arbroath’s advantage.
Two minutes into injury time McManus completed the scoring when he found space inside the area to slot home and seal the rout.
Montrose boss George Shields said: “The ball was moving, so the keeper’s goal should not have been allowed to stand.
“The 5-1 win flatters them but you can’t defend like we did in that game.”