Montrose ended 2005 on a high with a fine victory over East Fife, who went into the game 10 points above them.
It was East Fife who went close to scoring after eight minutes when a chip from Sean Paliczka was tipped on to the bar by keeper James Butter.
Butter was the hero again after 31 minutes when he made a great save from a Paul Hampshire shot. Play switched to the other end, and James Russell went close to heading home a Stephen Fraser cross.
After 39 minutes a shot from Euan Hall was saved at full stretch by Kerr Dodds. In first half stoppage time Greig McDonald had a shot well saved by Butter, and John Bradford put the rebound over the bar when he should have scored.
East Fife opened the scoring after 52 minutes when James Russell brought down Gavin Beith in the box and Gary Kelly scored from the spot.
Montrose equalised in the 65th minute when a lovely cross-field ball from Paul Doyle released Russell, and his cross was fired into the bottom corner by Greg Henslee.
Montrose made it 2-1 after 73 minutes when Kelly brought down Stephen Fraser and Martyn Fotheringham scored from the spot.
Fotheringham was denied by a fine save from Dodds. Then Fraser beat two men and shot just wide.
Montrose wrapped things up in the 90th minute when Russell beat two men on a solo run and smashed the ball home.