Montrose started off brightly and came incredibly close to opening the scoring when a low drive from the edge of the box hit the post and rolled right along the face of the goal before being cleared to safety.
The gable endies started to stretch the City rearguard with former City player Steve Kerrigan influential for the visitors. Montrose then had two shots which flew over the bar.
City's first real chance of the game fell to Darren Smith but his shot was deflected wide for a corner. Montrose then had another chance at the other end but Nelson wasn't really threatened with a shot straight at him.
Steven Hampshire made a good run down the right hand side before supplying a low ball into the box for summer signing Iain Russell, but the former Dumbarton man failed to connect with the ball and was cleared to safety.
Montrose then opened the scoring when Greg Henslee neatly curled the ball into the far corner, leaving Craig Nelson with no chance.
Kevin Byers struck a free kick high and wide after he had been brought down just outside the box, and that appeared to be the last chance of the half.
Montrose's movement and passing in the first half was exceptional but they failed to repeat that in the second as City stepped up a gear and created the better chances.
Stuart Ferguson, playing against his former club, was next to test the Montrose keeper but his low drive was comfortably saved. Ferguson then curled a shot into the side netting with the Montrose keeper in no-man's land.
City continued to pile on the pressure and a cross from the left was met with a diving header from Scott Walker which was saved, although many City supporter's claimed the ball had crossed the line.
John Ward, who was solid at the back for City, was next to come close. A Stuart Callaghan corner from the left was cleared but not as far as Scott Walker, who turned and his shot was deflected towards John Ward and his powerful header struck the outside of the post. Despite the ball striking off the keeper on it's way out, the referee awarded a goal-kick.
Team lines to follow...