Montrose slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Elgin after failing to break down a tough home defence.
Craig Fizzel opened the scoring midway through the first half, slotting his third of the season from a Jake Inglis cross.
Dougie Cameron could have levelled the game but could only turn Aaron Sinclair’s cross over the bar from six yards out.
In the second half it was Sinclair’s turn to have an effort, but his 25-yard drive flew high and wide.
Montrose pushed on in the latter stages but could not get the goal they needed despite having all the possession. A late Daryl Nicol shot was blocked by Elgin’s David Niven to see the hosts cling on for all three points and go joint second in the table.
Manager Steven Tweed said, “We played particularly well in the first half and created a couple of good chances and had shots blocked a few times.
“But to go up to Elgin was always going to be tough and you have got to take the chances that you get when they come your way.”
The loss leaves Montrose ninth in the division, but Tweed said he will not be setting his players any targets in terms of where the club should finish at the end of the campaign.
