In a low key derby encounter, goals from Chris Templeman and Martyn Fotheringham were enough to see off Montrose and give Forfar revenge for their 4-0 defeat at Links Park last month.
For Montrose, the season's end can't come quick enough as t
hey remain four points behind second bottom Elgin City with two matches left to play. On Saturday Montrose face league champions Livingston at Links Park before rounding off the season with a trip to Borough Briggs to play Elgin.
Injuries meant that manager Steven Tweed was forced into three changes to the side, which drew at Annan in midweek. Out went the injured goalkeeper Andy McNeil and Marek Tomana and the suspended John Gemmell. Into the line up came Steven Coutts in goal for the first time since October 31, Paul Tosh after illness and Steven Nicholas.
Montrose again lined up 3-5-2 with Coutts in goal with McNally, Tweed and Davidson the back three. Nicol and Sinclair were on the flanks with Milligan, Hegarty and Maitland in the middle of the park. Tosh and Nicholas were in attack.
After his good performance after coming on as a substitute at Annan James Collier was again on the bench alongside Sean Fleming, youngsters Martin Boyle and Jack Presly and Andy McNeil who was fit enough for a place on the bench.
Despite being listed at 2 and 3 on the official teamlines. Stephen McNally and Aaron Sinclair spent the entire match wearing the wrong jerseys.
The match referee was a "favourite" with the Montrose support, John Beaton who sent off Paul Tosh and John Gemmell on his last match in charge of the Gable Endies against Berwick Rangers three weeks previously.
In the 8th minute Chris Hegarty played in Aaron Sinclair with a great pass but the Montrose youngster was caught offside.
Forfar's Ian Harty went on a surging run through the middle and played in Ross Campbell but as he was on the point of shooting Hugh Davidson got back to block his shot for a corner kick.
In 22 minutes, Montrose won four corners in quick succession and from the fourth, Hegarty tried something different and his effort smacked off the crossbar.
Ten minutes later and Montrose went close to opening the scoring. Steven Coutts launched a kick up the park, Hegarty flicked the ball on to Tosh who turned only to see his effort from 25 yards out go just past the far post.
In the 35th minute Forfar Athletic went close but from the edge of the box Iain Campbell volleyed the ball straight into the arms of Coutts.
In the 43rd minute Montrose won a free kick near the corner flag when Tulloch held back Nicol. Aaron Sinclair took advantage of the windy conditions to curl the ball into the box, but his effort was too strong and the ball went out of play.
All the good work of the first half was ended in the first minute of the second half when Forfar opened the scoring. Montrose failed to clear a corner from Sellars and Chris Templeman was on hand to prod the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.
With 53 minutes gone a Sellars corner was cleared by Tweed into the path of Ross Campbell but the division's top scorer could only hook his shot over the crossbar.
A minute later a perfectly weighted pass from Nicol split open the home defence and put Tosh in the clear, but a late flag from stand side assistant Watt put a halt to the move.
Davidson then brought Harty to the ground but Steven Coutts pulled off a good stop from Barry Sellars free kick.
In the 58th minute Tosh used his power and strength to break clear down the right flank but his perfect cross into the six-yard box was blocked by Bishop before it could find the unmarked Nicholas.
A minute later Coutts kept Montrose in the match with a wonderful save to turn a 25-yard volley from Iain Campbell around the post at full stretch. From the resultant corner Tulloch got his head to the ball but again Coutts saved well.
On the hour mark Montrose moved to 4-4-2 with Milligan dropping back to right back leaving Nicol, Hegarty, Maitland and Sinclair in midfield.
With 66 minutes gone Hugh Davidson was booked for the third match in a row after a dive inside the Forfar Athletic box in a vain attempt to win a penalty kick.
In the next minute Nicol went on a solo run and his effort from 25 yards went straight at keeper McLean.
In 70 minutes Montrose made their first change of the match sending on James Collier for John Maitland. Collier received warm applause from the away support in what was only his second appearance for his hometown team due to his long-term injury.
Forfar Athletic centre half Andy Tod was then booked for a foul on Nicholas.
With seven minutes left Montrose made another change sending on youngster Martin Boyle in place of Nicholas upfront.
In stoppage time added a second goal when Milligan needlessly gave away a corner kick. Sellars played the ball to Martyn Fotheringham on the edge of the area and he curled a beauty past Coutts to seal victory.
Montrose: Coutts 6, McNally 7, Sinclair 6, Hegarty 7, Tweed 7, Maitland 6 (Collier), Milligan 5, Davidson 6, Tosh 6, Nicholas 5 (Boyle), Nicol 6. Subs: Fleming, Presly, McNeil.
