Montrose took a first half lead through a King own goal but after that they didn't create too many opportunities as the home side got the three points, which mean that they won't finish the season in last spot for the first time in six seasons. That fate now befalls Forfar Athletic, who could only draw with Dumbarton.

It was a disappointing way to end the league campaign for the Gable Endies who were backed by a large and vocal support.

Aside which has defended so well this season failed to do so on Saturday and were punished by the Falkirk side who recorded their first win over Montrose in four seasons.

Manager Jim Weir chose to rest certain players and bring back others from injury as he looks towards next week's promotion play off semi-final against Stranraer. He will be looking for a much improved performance from his side in these two fixtures

Four changes were made from the side that defeated Elgin City. Out went Steven Doris, Chris Hegarty, Paul Stewart and top goalscorer John Baird. Into the line up came Roddy Hunter for his first start since March 15, Keith Gibson after injury, Stephen Black and Garry Wood, returning after a month on the sidelines.

Montrose lined up with McKenzie in goal and Cumming and Forsyth in the full back roles. Buchan and Gardiner teamed up once again in the centre of defence in the absence of Chris McLeod. The midfield four lined up with Black and Stein on the flanks and Gibson and Davidson in the centre. Up front, Hunter was teamed with Wood.

Baird, Doris, Stewart and Hegarty all found places on the bench alongside Mark Peat.

Montrose created a chance in the fourth minute when Roddy Hunter and Keith Gibson played a one-two. The midfielder strode into the box and his powerful effort was well gathered by keeper O'Connor.

Montrose thought that they had opened the scoring two minutes later. Stein played the ball to the overlapping Forsyth who fired over a low cross which keeper O'Connor let slip under his body and from on the goal line Garry Wood had the simple task of tapping home. The assistant referee raised his flag and the goal was disallowed, although the Montrose attacker never at any point appeared to look offside.

Montrose kept up the pressure and with 12 minutes gone Wood headed the ball down into the path of his strike partner Hunter whose shot was headed out for a corner kick.

With 22 minutes gone, Andy Rodgers turned on the edge of the area and shot wide of Stuart McKenzie's near post.

Montrose opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances in the 26th minute. Roddy Hunter played a great ball out wide to Jay Stein who and fired over a low cross which centre half King sliced over his head and past keeper O'Connor via the far post for a peach of an own goal.

In the 38th minute a great Montrose passing move unlocked the home defence and when Wood set up Stein with a low cross, the winger normally so deadly in these situations, took a fresh air shot and the chance was gone.

Despite it being all Montrose, in the 40th minute East Stirling equalised. Of all people it was Andy Rodgers who rose above a static Montrose defence to send a looping header over McKenzie and into the net for his first Shire goal since his transfer to Firs Park from Montrose in January.

In the 50th minute Montrose almost regained the lead. From Stein's free kick, Roddy Hunter met the ball first time at the far post but O'Connor got a hand to it the ball and tipped it around the post.

On the hour, Montrose made a double switch taking off two forwards in Roddy Hunter and Garry Wood and sending on top goalscorer John Baird and Steven Doris in their place.

With 65 minutes gone the East Stirling pressure paid off when they took the lead for the first time in the match. Donaldson played the ball into the feet of striker Joe Savage who turned his man at the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

With 68 minutes gone, Nichols swung the ball into the box and McKenzie did well to tip a header from Bolochoweckyj over the crossbar.

In 72 minutes, Rodgers was booked for diving by referee McDermott after he went to the ground too easily.

Montrose then made their final change of the afternoon sending on Paul Stewart for Jay Stein.

The Shire kept up the pressure and Rodgers went close again but he clipped his effort wide of the far post.

With ten minutes left East Stirlingshire made sure of all three points when they scored their third goal of the afternoon. A free kick from Nichols found its way to centre half Bolochoweckyj at the far post and he had the easy job of heading past McKenzie. It was the first time all season that the Gable Endies had conceded three goals in an away fixture.

With seven minutes left, Stephen Black went on a good run but his shot from the edge of the box was well saved by keeper O'Connor.

Montrose created one final opportunity when Stephen Black was tripped right on the edge of the penalty area. Keith Gibson strode up to take the kick but his effort hit the wall before being cleared.

Montrose: McKenzie 6, Buchan 6, Forsyth 6, Gardiner 6, Cumming 6, Gibson 6, Hunter 6 (Doris), Davidson 6, Wood 6 (Baird), Black 7, Stein 7 (Stewart). Subs: Hegarty, Peat.