A blistering start to the second half allowed Roscommon take control and bag two precious league points at Monaghan's expense in the winter sunshine at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park.
Trailing by two points at break, the home side kicked 2-04 inside the first 13 minutes of the new half to tilt the pendulum in their favour.
The goals came from Diarmuid Murtagh and Man of the Match Enda Smith from the penalty spot as Roscommon backed up last weekend’s positive performance against Kerry with a victory.
Both teams made a raft of chances to their starting line-ups, but it was the return of Monaghan net-minder, Rory Beggan, that caught the eye before the game got underway.
The game enjoyed an explosive start with both sides finding the net inside the opening seven minutes.
Louis Kelly and Enda Smith swapped early points before Kelly found a huge gap in the home side’s defence and finished emphatically to the net.
Roscommon replied through a Daire Cregg free but a two-pointer from Micheál Bannigan stretched wind-assisted Monaghan’s buffer to 1-03 to 0-02 after six minutes.
But when Dessie Ward was dispossessed a minute later, Enda Smith was on hand to place the ball beyond Beggan for a Roscommon goal.
A great run by Darragh Heneghan was rewarded with the levelling score for the Rossies — 1-03 apiece after ten minutes.
Beggan (’45) and Ryan McAnespie exchanged scores with Diarmuid Murtagh (a point from play and a free) to still leave nothing between them after 19 minutes.
Roscommon enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was Monaghan who made the majority of their opportunities count.
Bannigan, Andrew Woods and Gary Mohan added to Monaghan’s tally, while McAnespie had a goal ruled out for a square ball.
A free by Cregg on the stroke of half time ended a 16-minute scoring famine for the home side as they trailed by 1-08 to 1-06 at half time.
Fisted points on the resumption from Dylan Ruane and Darragh Heneghan signalled Roscommon’s intent, and even though Dessie Ward and Andrew Woods (free) replied for Monaghan, a loose pass from Gary Mohan left Beggan stranded in the middle of the field.
Roscommon worked the ball upfield quickly, allowing the rampaging Enda Smith tee up Diarmuid Murtagh for a crucial goal.
In the 48th minute, Roscommon bagged a third goal. Another turnover saw the supporting Paddy Gavin bearing down on goal. Darragh McElearney brought the Clann na nGael defender to ground, and Enda Smith stroke home the resultant penalty with aplomb.
Roscommon never relinquished their grip on the contest after that, with a couple of two-points frees from Daire Cregg and Diarmuid Murtagh keeping Monaghan at arm’s length on the scoreboard.
Micheál Bannigan brought his tally to 0-05, while substitute Eddie Walsh hit a two-pointer on the hooter but, in truth, there was precious little for Monaghan to shout about.
Roscommon were home and hosed, giving themselves a shout at survival in the division ahead of the visit of Armagh to the Hyde on Valentine’s weekend.
Roscommon: Aaron Brady; Patrick Gavin, Caelim Keogh, Niall Higgins; Oisín Cregg, Ronan Daly, Senan Lambe; Keith Doyle, Conor Ryan; Dylan Ruane (0-02), Enda Smith (2-02, 1-00 pen), Darragh Heneghan (0-02); Diarmuid Murtagh (1-05, 1tpf, 1f), Daire Cregg (0-04, 1tpf), Robert Heneghan.
Subs: Eoin Ward for Oisín Cregg (35), Cathal Heneghan for Daire Cregg (52), Paul Carey (0-01) for Robert Heneghan (57), Jack Duggan for Darragh Heneghan (65), Colm Neary for Ruane (70).
Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-01, 1’45); Darragh McElearney, Darragh Treanor, Ryan McAnespie (0-01); Ryan O’Toole, Dessie Ward (0-01), Thomas Hughes; Karl Gallagher, Gary Mohan (0-01); Ronan Boyle, Micheál Bannigan (0-05, 2f), Stephen O’Hanlon (0-01); Aaron Casey, Andrew Woods (0-02 1f), Louis Kelly (1-01).
Subs: Micheál McCarville for Kelly (38), Stephen Mooney (0-01) for McAnespie (45), Oisín McGorman for Hughes (49), Liam McDonald for Mohan (60), Eddie Walsh (0-02, 2p) for Woods (67).
