Arbroath boss Allan Moore was fuming after his side threw away a two-goal lead and missed a penalty kick in this rip-roaring League 2 Angus derby which captivated a 1,395 Gayfield crowd.
The Lichties looked to have the game sewn up when they went 2-0 ahead shortly after the interval, but Montrose stunned their hosts with two goals in as many minutes midway through the half to leave the outcome poised on a knife edge.
Moore said: “I’m really disappointed we didn’t finish it off at 2-0. We had so many great chances to put the game to bed, but didn’t take them.
“We just shouldn’t be losing a 2-0 lead at home, it’s not acceptable. But we’ll just have to take it on the chin and discuss it at training on Monday.”
Moore also bemoaned the injuries his players sustained during the game.
He said: “It has been bad day all round because Jordan Lowdon has broken his nose and Scott McBride has also picked up a nasty foot injury.”
The Gayfield boss was, however, relieved that man-of-the match Dylan Easton avoided serious injury following a late challenge which earned Garry Wood a yellow card.
He said: “It was a disgraceful tackle. He could have broken the boy’s leg. It was a straight red card. The referee should have done better with that.”
The Red Lichties edged ahead one minute before the interval when Adam Hunter’s 25-yard drive flew low into the right-hand corner of Stuart McKenzie’s net.
Simon Murray extended Arbroath’s lead eight minutes after the restart with a superb solo effort.
The young striker burst through the centre of the Montrose defence and held off a challenge from Adam Harwood before rounding McKenzie and slotting home from a tight angle.
Arbroath seemed to be in cruise control but Montrose stunned their hosts by clawing one back in the 69th minute when Scott McBride deflected a Paul Harkins cross into his own net.
The drama wasn’t over as the visitors drew level less than two minutes later, Stephen Day blasting home from close range after a scramble in the box.
The Lichties went back on the offensive and were given a golden opportunity to go back in front in the 78th minute when Easton was tripped in the box by Jonathan Crawford, but Paul McManus sent the resultant spot-kick over the bar.
Montrose manager George Shields was satisfied with the result.
He said: “I thought we thoroughly deserved at least a point. We did really well.
“The goal just before half-time knocked us back a bit because I thought we had created enough chances to take in a lead at the interval.
“All credit to the players, they battled away to get a draw out of it after going two behind.”