Montrose picked up a merited point against promotion-chasing Queen’s Park, but, as they trail second-bottom Berwick by 12 points with four games to play and have a vastly inferior goal difference, they are now certain to face a play-off to preserve their League Two status.
Montrose manager Paul Hegarty said: “It was a game of two halves we dictated the first half, but I told my players at half-time that they would come out strongly.
“We lost a couple of quick goals and that seems to be our achilles heel. When we are put under a bit of pressure we find it hard to handle.
“We scored two good goals. Paul Watson scored a great half-volley, then Garry Wood got a goal which he deserves for his play in the seven games I have been here.
“We deserve to be bottom, but the players have it in their locker to save themselves in the play-off.”
Montrose were quick out of the blocks and on three minutes, Jordan Allan lobbed on to the roof of the net.
The home side dominated the first period and took the lead on 35 minutes. A cross from Scott Johnston was headed out and Paul Watson smashed the ball home from 20 yards.
Queen’s Park equalised on 57 minutes when a cross from Paul Woods was knocked into his own net by Andrew Steeves.
Two minutes later, a Woods shot was blocked but a shot on the turn from Shaun Rooney found the net.
The Spiders looked for more and home keeper Stuart McKenzie made fine saves from Ciaran McElroy and John Carter.
An Allan drive was saved by William Muir, then another fine save from McKenzie denied Woods after a solo run.
Montrose equalised on 81 minutes when an Allan cross was volleyed home by Garry Wood.
Allan shot over, then in stoppage-time McKenzie made further stops from Woods and McElroy.