Montrose rode their luck against League Two bottom side Queen’s Park, but in the end a strike from midfielder Paul Watson was enough to give them all three points and keep their hopes of the play-offs alive.
After a poor first half, Montrose almost grabbed the lead right on half-time when a shot from Bryan Deasley was deflected on to the post.
On 59 minutes, Lee Davison headed home for Queen’s Park but was ruled offside.
Montrose celebrated their let-off by scoring a minute later. Deasley ran at the visiting defence and the ball broke back for Watson to smash a shot into the bottom corner.
Three minutes later, a Watson free-kick was pushed on to the post by keeper Lucas Birnsting.
On 68 minutes, the Spiders hit on the break and a shot from Blair Spittal was cleared off the line by Alan Campbell.
Campbell was the hero again on 77 minutes when he headed a deflected effort from Joao Periera Victoria off the line.
Montrose boss Stuart Garden said: “Our aim was three points and fortunately we got them.
“Our performance was not great, but we ground out the win. My back four was outstanding and it is the first time for three or four months that I have had a settled defence.
“We are back in there and the play-off race is going to go right to the wire. We haven’t had consistency this season, but now would be a good time to start.
“There is always one team that comes late to clinch a play-off spot and we must show the confidence to ensure it is us.”