Montrose picked up three valuable points with a victory over mid-table rivals Elgin.
Elgin were first to threaten after 10 minutes when Stephen Donnachie had a shot saved by James Butter, who was again in action seven minutes later with a save at the feet of Adam Nelson.
Montrose threatened after 24 minutes when Kevin Webster cut in from the right and had a shot saved by Kieron Renton.
After 28 minutes Martin Harty tried a chip from 25 yards and the ball struck the top of the the Montrose crossbar on its way over. Four minutes later Butter made another brave save at the feet of Donnachie.
Elgin went close again right on half-time when James McKenzie fired in a shot from 45 yards and the ball just cleared the crossbar.
Five minutes into the second-half Montrose's Stephen Fraser had a drive saved by Renton.
Montrose opened the scoring after 62 minutes when Neil Stephen headed home a Webster corner. They stretched their lead five minutes later when Graeme Sharp was fouled in the box by Hugh Dickson, and Craig Smart scored from the spot.
Montrose looked for more goals, and after 76 minutes Renton had to save at full stretch from Martin Wood.
Elgin battled right to the end and Butter had to save at the feet of Andrew Roddie. Then minutes later a dangerous cross from Roddie caused panic in the home defence before the ball was finally scrambled clear.
The final chance of the game fell to Montrose two minutes from time when Fraser combined with Kerr Dodds and fired a shot over the crossbar.