Steven Tweed's youngsters battled throughout and deserved at lest a share of the spoils for their efforts.
Sean Crighton was banned after his dismissal at Livingston and Montrose were forced into another change when defender Alan Campbell was rul
ed unfit.
Youngster Kieran Adams made his first start in central defence alongside manager Steven Tweed and Chris Hegarty dropped to right-back.
John Gemmell returned after suspension to partner Daryl Nicol up front, with Jon Voigt on the right of midfield.
Sean Anderson was fit enough for a place on the bench where he was joined by youngsters Chris Herd, Nick Gray, Ryan Stewart and keeper Stuart Hall.
Forfar included two former Montrose players in Martyn Fotheringham and Calum Smith.
Montrose had the first chance in two minutes when Maitland drove over after a strong run from Gemmell.
In six minutes, Tweed rose high to meet a Fleming corner but his header was blocked. Forfar broke to the other end and Calum Smith had a shot saved.
Montrose continued to probe and in nine minutes a Voigt pass found Gemmell, but the big striker smashed his shot wide.
In 15 minutes a Nicol cross from the byeline was smothered by Brown before Tweed could connect.
Ex-Brechin striker Chris Templeman had a header saved by Coutts, then in 23 minutes he fired in a vicious shot which was turned for a corner by the keeper.
Steven Tweed was marshalling the home defence superbly, backed by Adams and the young defender made a great block to deny Calum Smith.
In 32 minutes, Brown came to the edge of his box to punch the ball off the head of the eager Nicol.
Forfar took the lead in 34 minutes with a goal which was a disaster for Steven Coutts. Kevin Fotheringham fired in a free-kick which the diving keeper somehow allowed to squirm past him and over the line.
Montrose tried to reply and an Adams header from a Sinclair free-kick was saved.
In 42 minutes, Gemmell became the first booking for dissent.
Montrose started the second half with a bang and in 49 minutes a Gemmell shot was deflected for a corner. From the corner, Voigt appeared to be pushed and the referee pointed to the spot.
Kevin Fotheringham was booked for his protests, then Chris Hegarty stepped up and had his penalty saved by Brown.
If Montrose were disappointed they didn't let it show and within two minutes they were on level terms. Nicol sent in a corner and John Gemmell rose to head home his first goal for the club.
Montrose tails were up and they swarmed all over Forfar like the wasps which annoyed the punters in the stand all afternoon.
The home side forced a series of corners as they pinned Forfar back and Gemmell smashed a volley wide from distance.
Montrose replaced the injured Fleming with Anderson in 61 minutes, then a minute later Forfar's Malcolm was booked for a foul.
Forfar boss Dick Campbell didn't like how things were going and he made a triple change in 74 minutes, sending on Tulloch, Brady and Deasley for Malcolm, Nicky Smith and Calum Smith.
A minute later, Forfar scored what proved to be the winner. A Deasley shot was pushed out by Coutts and the striker collected the loose ball and squared for Martyn Fotheringham to sidefoot home from close range.
Montrose sent on Stewart for Voigt in 78 minutes, then in 82 minutes, Maitland shot over from a Gemmell knock down.
Gray replaced Nicol in 84 minutes as Montrose refused to throw in the towel.
In 88 minutes, Forfar's Tod was booked for leaving the foot in on Gemmell, then with the 90 minutes up, Hegarty was booked for dissent.
A minute into added time, Tod jumped elbow first into Gemmell to collect a second booking and was sent-off. Sinclair threw the free-kick into the box, Gemmell headed down and Gray just couldn't keep his shot down as he blasted over from about eight yards.
Montrose: Coutts 5, Hegarty 6, Sinclair 6, Adams 7, Tweed 7, Maitland 6, Nicol 7 (Gray), Davidson 7, Gemmell 7, Voigt 6 (Stewart), Fleming 7 (Anderson). Subs: Herd, Hall.
