Both sides were keen to attack from the start and in the opening minute a Kevin McLeish header was saved by keeper Andy Reid. Play switched to the other end and keeper William McCulloch had to leave his box to clear from Scott Michie.
Montrose went close again on 15 minutes when Greig Henslee and Hugh Davidson combined to set up Andy Rodgers and his shot was blocked.
Four minutes later Barry Donnachie found Michie and his low cross was claimed by McCulloch.
Stenhousemuir should have scored on 24 minutes when defender Andy Gow blazed over from close range following a corner.
Two minutes later Michie turned on a Stephen Fraser free-kick and forced a save from McCulloch.
Home keeper Reid was the hero on 35 minutes with a fine save from John Baird.
Both teams continued to attack in the second half and on 65 minutes a Mark Cowan header was saved by Reid.
Reid excelled again on 71 minutes with a fine block from sub David Templeton.
The deadlock was broken two minutes later when John-Paul McBride stepped up to score with a 22-yard free-kick which Reid could only touch onto the inside of his post.