Montrose hit two goals in the final three minutes to earn a point at home to Elgin to the delight of manager Stuart Garden.
Montrose made the early running and, in the 15th minute, Paul Watson, Graham Webster and Terry Masson all went close in quick succession as their side forced a series of corners.
Elgin took the lead on 20 minutes when a Ross McKinnon shot was flicked home from close range by Dennis Wyness.
Montrose levelled on 29 minutes when Watson drove the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards. The home side had an escape on 43 minutes when their former player, Sean Crighton, hit the post.
On the stroke of half-time, Elgin hit on the break and a cross from David Niven was stroked home by Wyness. Elgin stretched their lead on 52 minutes with a controversial goal.
A McKinnon free-kick came back off the post and Craig Gunn netted the rebound from what the home side felt was an offside position.
Montrose refused to give up and Webster had a shot saved by Raymond Jellema, Colin Wilson had a volley saved and substitute Kieran Sturrock was also denied by the keeper.
In 87 minutes, Bryan Deasley cut along the byeline and crossed for Scott Johnston to score. With 90 minutes on the watch, a Ross McCord corner was headed down by Wilson and Watson volleyed an equaliser.
Garden said: “I am delighted to get a point from 3-1 down. The boys showed great desire and attitude and their workrate was different class.
“For the majority of the game, we had the momentum, but our defending on the day was not nearly good enough.
“The linesman has apologised regarding their third goal and admitted he made a mistake, “It is all very tight in the division, with nothing between the teams. There is a long way to go.”