In a rollercoaster game, Montrose trailed 2-0 early on, fought back to lead 4-2 with some fine play, then ultimately managed to lose 5-4 and leave themselves still waiting for their first league win of the season.
Perhaps with Monday's cup-tie i
n mind, manager Steven Tweed rested himself and went with Crighton and Campbell as his central defensive partnership in front of Andy McNeil.
Milligan was at right-back and former Forfar player, Stephen McNally played at left-back as a trialist.
In a new-look midfield, Hegarty and Tomana were in the centre with Maitland right and Anderson left, while new signings Paul Tosh and Stevie Nicholas were paired up front.
Captain Hugh Davidson was also rested and was on the bench with Nicol, Leyden, 16-year-old Martin Boyle and goalkeeper Coutts.
Stranraer took the lead after just four minutes. Danny Mitchell got to the byeline on the right and his cutback was swept home on the near post by Armand One.
Worse was to follow for Montrose and in seven minutes, John Maitland was tackling back when he brought down Michael Moore just inside the box. Moore made no mistake from the spot.
The Montrose defence looked set for an uncomfortable afternoon against the giant strike pairing of One and Moore, but the home side settled quickly and Tomana shot wide from a Nicholas lay-off, then Maitland headed wide from a Hegarty corner.
In 21 minutes, Montrose hit the target for the first time when an Anderson free-kick was saved by David Mitchell.
A curling effort from Moore was saved by McNeil, then in 24 minutes, Tosh chased a long ball from Crighton and had a header saved. A minute later a Milligan drive was saved by the keeper.
Montrose were playing some decent passing football and Tosh shot wide on the turn, then a Nicholas shot was deflected for a corner.
Montrose needed a goal before the break and in 41 minutes Hegarty sent in a corner and Campbell headed wide on the far post.
A minute later, a Maitland chip was tipped for a corner by Mitchell.
Hegarty sent in the corner and Maitland scored with a bullet header.
Montrose looked for more and Tosh headed wide from a Hegarty cross.
Montrose levelled a minute into stoppage-time at the break. Another Hegarty corner was met by the head of Alan Campbell and although McGeough cleared the ball, the linesman was well placed to say it had crossed the line.
Early in the second half, Tosh burst through and fractionally over-ran the ball, allowing Mitchell to save at his feet.
In 61 minutes, Agnew sent in a corner and One should have done better than head over from close range.
Four minutes later, Hegarty became the first booking for a midfield foul.
In 67 minutes, Montrose completed a remarkable turnaround when they took the lead. Nicholas was chopped down by Bouadji who was booked and Paul Tosh scored from the spot.
In 69 minutes, Davidson went on for Milligan.
A minute later, Tosh broke on the right and sent a sublime lob over the advancing keeper to make it 4-2. Before play resumed, both Agnew and One were booked for remarks to the officials.
The Montrose fans must have felt that elusive first league win was in the bag, but they celebrated too soon as in 75 minutes, a miss-hit shot fell kindly for One and he scored from six yards.
Montrose sent on Nicol for Maitland, then Danny Mitchell was booked for a foul.
It was still advantage Montrose and Nicholas was denied when the keeper saved at his feet, then in 84 minutes, Leyden went on for Tomana.
With five minutes left, Agnew drove the ball high into the net from 25 yards to tie things up at 4-4.
Montrose were stunned at seeing their two-goal advantage disappear and McNeil had to make a great save from a Mitchell drive.
A minute from time, central defender Bouadji was up with his attack and headed home a McGeough cross for a dramatic winner.
Montrose were not finished and in the third of three added minutes, Tosh got in a header from a Nicol cross, but the ball went agonisingly over to deny Montrose a point.
McNeil 6, Milligan 6 (Davidson), Trialist 6, Campbell 6, Crighton 6, Hegarty 7, Tomana 7 (Leyden), Maitland 7 (Nicol), Tosh 7, Nicholas 7, Anderson 6. Subs: Boyle, Coutts.
