Donegal's record at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey going back to 2010 was ended by Monaghan, who keep their Division One survival hopes alive.
The Farney men did the damage in the opening half, which they dominated against the breeze and the only goal of the game by Andrew Woods proved to be a big score.
Perennial survivors in Division One, Monaghan, have given themselves a lifeline with this win which takes them to four points while Donegal are just a point better off on five.
Donegal had the breeze in the first half but it was Monaghan who had the momentum from early on. They were three points to the good after eight minutes with two Conor McManus frees and one from play from Conor McCarthy,
Aaron Doherty won a free for Patrick McBrearty to get Donegal on the board but on 11 minutes Monaghan struck for a goal when Andrew Woods rose highest to win in front of goal and fire past Shaun Patton.
Dessie Ward added a point with Donegal struggling to make any impact apart from another McBrearty free, and by the 30th minute Rory Beggan and Conor McManus had stretched the Monaghan lead to 1-6 to 0-2.
Donegal did put in a greater effort in the final minutes of the half with the introduction of Michael Murphy and he got their third point. They had claims for a penalty a minute from the break when Odhrán McFadden Ferry was hauled down but referee Sean Hurson ruled it just outside.
Patrick McBrearty pointed but it was Monaghan who had the final say of the half, Andrew Woods pointing a free with their last attack to leave it Monaghan 1-7, Donegal 0-4 at the break.
Monaghan were almost in for a second goal at the start of the second half but it was Donegal who were more energised and three points from McBrearty, Aaron Doherty and a Jason McGee forward mark cut the lead to three.
Monaghan hit three wides before Kieran Duffy showed the way with a point from distance. McBrearty and Murphy points cut the lead to two but Micheál Bannigan responded for Monaghan as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
Gary Mohan had the chance to seal it for Monaghan but Shaun Patton made a great point blank save but Kieran Duffy hit another great point to put Monaghan on their way.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin; Dáire Ó Baoill, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Odhrán McFadden Ferry; Ciaran Thompson, Jason McGee (0-01(m)); Aaron Doherty (0-01), Peadar Mogan, Ryan McHugh; Patrick McBrearty (0-05(4f)), Conor O'Donnell, Charles McGuinness.
Subs: Michael Murphy (0-03 (2f)) for C Thompson 28; Ethan O'Donnell for C McGuinness ht; Eunan Doherty for Ó Baoill 41; Jamie Brennan for R McHugh 50;
Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-01f); Kieran Duffy (0-02), Conor Boyle, Ryan Wylie; Ryan McAnespie, Killian Lavelle, Dessie Ward (0-01); Darren Hughes, Gary Mohan; Conor McCarthy (0-01), Micheál Bannigan (0-01), Shane Carey; Andrew Woods (1-01(1f)), Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus (0-04, 0-03f, 0-01fm).
Subs: Niall Kearns and Colin Walshe for D Hughes, both 60; Fintan Kelly blood sub (0-01) Lavelle 60; Drew Wylie for K Hughes 62; Karl O'Connell for McAnespie 69; Sean Jones for Woods 70+2
Referee: Martin Hurson (Tyrone)
