Forres recovered from an early setback to defeat Clachnacuddin 3-2 at Canal Park, completing a league double over the Lilywhites in the process.
James Ross netted the winner for the visitors, moving the Can-Cans to within three points of sixth-place Nairn County.
Wayne Mackintosh made his Clach debut after joining the club on loan this week from Formartine, while Martin Macdonald returned in defence. Forres welcomed Scott Miller back to their substitutes bench after a lengthy absence.
Clach got off to a flyer and opened the scoring in the sixth minute through a Martin Callum strike.
Forres went straight up the other end and levelled within a minute through Owen Paterson.
Four minutes later the visitors took the lead, Lee Fraser getting on the end of a cross from the right to plant the ball past Jake Williamson in the home goal.
The home side levelled on the stroke of half-time, Michael Finnis firing the ball past Stuart Knight from the spot after a foul on Ross Logan in the penalty area.
Twenty minutes into the second period, Forres retook the lead, Alan Macphee blasting the ball home.
Clach midfielder Scott Graham was shown a straight red card with time running out, compounding the home side’s misery as the visitors held on to claim all three points.
It was Clach’s second home match at Canal Park, the home of Highland rugby club. The club’s home ground, Grant Street Park, remains out of use following a fire.