Dumbarton were first to threaten after just six minutes when David Craig headed wide from a Chris Boyle corner. Two minutes later David Bagan sent in a corner and Craig Winter should have scored with a header on the back-post.
Three minutes later another Bagan corner found the head of David Craig, and his header was blocked by the Montrose defence.
After 21 minutes Ryan Borris cut inside and fired in a drive which Andy Reid saved. Montrose went close a minute later when John Adam sent in a cross and Andy Rodgers headed just wide.
Montrose were out of luck after 25 minutes when trialist Paul Walker smashed a shot aginst the bar.
Montrose took the lead after 28 minutes when Greig Henslee controlled a Hugh Davidson cross and hammered the ball home.
Montrose looked for more and Rogers had a shot saved by Stephen Grindlay. Dumbarton levelled after 36 minutes when a long ball released Bagan and he finished well from a tight angle.
After 54 minutes a Davidson shot was blocked by the Dumbarton defence and John Dillon cleared before Rogers could score.
Dumbarton tried to get their noses in front and after 66 minutes their trialist substitute broke on the right but shot weakly at Reid.
Two minutes into stoppage time Montrose almost grabbed all three points when Rogers shot inches over on the turn.