Berwick Rangers returned to winning form after a depressing seven-match sequence without success, and they did it against a team which began all their problems early in November.
Both teams tried to play constructive football on a difficult pitch and should both figure in the race for a promotion spot.
Rangers made a tremendous start with two goals in the first six minutes. Chris McGroaty scored the first with a superb free-kick from the edge of the box, and then Kevin Haynes sent an unstoppable shot past Mark Peat after collecting an Ian Little pass and beating his marker.
Little missed a gift when the ball jammed between his feet after he had been set up by Gordon Connelly, making his first start for nearly six months.
Although Haynes headed against the bar early in the second half, the fast-improving Smokies gradually took control. Another great free-kick, this time by Jay Stein, put them right back into it, but Mark Cowan inspired his colleagues to hold on for a crucial win
Seven players were booked and there were 47 fouls, but it was a game which was never rough and several of the offences were trivial.