Forfar’s lead at the summit dwindling
The visitors started well and Ryan Ferguson was denied an early opener in the 6th minute when he curled in a shot from just inside the box only for Grant Adam to brilliantly push it away.
In contrast, Forfar were all over the place and it took until the 32nd minute for them to get in a decent shot, Gavin Swankie dipping a long-range effort just over the bar.
But it was the home side who went closest in the first half when a clever free kick saw a neat strike from Martyn Fotheringham deflected inches past the post.
Graham Webster went just as close for the visitors at the start of the second half and at the other end Swankie forced Jordan Millar into a good block.
But neither side could make the breakthrough and Montrose fully deserved their point as Forfar’s grip on the title race took another dunt.
ARBROATH 4 COWDENBEATH 1
THE LICHTIES took an early lead when Martin Scott slotted home in the fourth minute.
Home keeper Ricky Gomes almost gifted Cowdenbeath an immediate equaliser when he lost possession while trying to usher the ball out.
Arbroath extended their lead on 29 minutes when Steven Doris met a cross from Bobby Linn to steer the ball past Jamie Sneddon.
Dale Carrick had an opportunity to reduce the leeway shortly before the interval but lobbed over.
The hosts went further ahead 10 minutes after the break, Liam Henderson directing a cross from Jassem Sukar into the net.
Gavin Malin finally got Arbroath’s fourth on 73 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box.
Cowden’s Scott Rumsby grabbed a late goal with the final kick of the game.
STIRLING ALB 1 EDINBURGH C 0
ROSS KAVANAGH grabbed the only goal after 16 minutes when he cut inside to beat Andrew Stobie with a cool finish.
Connor McLaren and Blair Henderson came close to doubling Albion’s lead before the break.
In the second half, Ryan Porteous fired over the bar and Josh Walker saw his free-kick pushed on to the post.
ANNAN ATHLETIC 1 CLYDE 0
ANNAN dominated the opening stages, with Peter Weatherson’s header saved in the fifth minute, and keeper Connor Quinn brought off a diving save from Darren Ramsay after 12 minutes.
David Gormley had the first chance for Clyde but keeper Blair Currie made a fine stop. Gormley hit the post with a right-foot drive on the half-hour.
In 74 minutes, Annan’s Max Wright fired high into the net from eight yards for what proved to be the winner.
BERWICK 0 ELGIN CITY 1
THE first chance fell to Berwick after 10 minutes when Aaron Murrell’s firsttime shot was pushed aside by Elgin keeper Cameron MacKay at full stretch.
On 21 minutes, Craig Gunn had a shot turned over by Berwick keeper Devlin Mackay and, just after, the hosts had a penalty claim when Steven Thomson looked to be fouled
Elgin scored on 31 minutes when a throw-in on the right was flicked on and McLeish directed a glancing header past Mackay.
In the second half, Darren Lavery pulled a shot wide for Berwick from outside the box but, in general, serious efforts on goal were at a premium in the second 45.
In the final minutes, Berwick were reduced to 10 men when Michael McKenna was sent off for two bookings in two minutes.
It was his fourth red card of the season.