Bavidge’s 37th-minute strike was enough to claim victory at Broadwood Stadium after Callum Sandilands had earlier dented second-placed Stenhousemuir’s promotion drive with a double as Montrose twice came from behind to draw 2-2.

Andrew Steeves’ own goal had given Stenhousemuir a 15th-minute lead only for Sandilands to level seven minutes after the interval, and although Finlay Gray restored the home side’s advantage, Sandilands repeated the feat with seven minutes left to claim a point.

Kurtis Roberts left it late to fire Alloa to a 2-1 win at third-placed Queen of the South.

Reece Lyon looked to have sealed a third successive league draw for the hosts when he scored six minutes after half-time following Luke Donnelly’s opener, but Roberts won it with six minutes remaining.

Goals from Andy Munro and Destiny Oladipo saw East Fife end their eight-game losing streak in all competitions with a 2-1 home win over Cove Rangers, who had gone ahead through Mitch Megginson.

Ross Cunningham came off the bench to snatch a 1-1 draw for bottom-of-the-table Kelty Hearts when he cancelled out Craig McGuffie’s strike for Peterhead with just three minutes remaining.

In League Two, Spartans remain top of the pile despite being held to a goalless draw by Edinburgh City at the Vanloq Community Stadium.

But first-half goals from Connor Young, John Robertson and Joao Balde eased second-placed East Kilbride to within a point of the leaders after a 4-2 win at Annan Athletic.

Paul Smith’s early header got the hosts off to a fast start, but Young, Robertson and Balde all struck before the break and although substitute Joel Mumbongo pulled one back, Charlie Albinson’s late dismissal and Young’s second goal saw the visitors across the finishing line.

Dumbarton’s home clash with Stranraer, Elgin’s game against Forfar and Clyde’s trip to Stirling Albion were all postponed.