Alouettes end 6-game losing skid

The Montreal Alouettes exacted a large measure of revenge on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday.

Damon Duval kicked four field goals and added two singles as the Alouettes ended their longest losing streak in five years with a 23-20 victory over the Bombers in Winnipeg.

Montreal running back Robert Edwards ran two yards for his league-leading 13th touchdown of the season.

Friday's victory was particularly sweet for the Alouettes who dropped a tough 17-14 decision at home to the Bombers last week. That loss extended Montreal's winless skid for a sixth consecutive game, the first time that's happened since the 2001 season

Montreal now sports an 8-6 record and is in sole possession of first place in the CFL's East Division. The Toronto Argonauts (7-6), currently second in the division, host the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday (CBC, 6:30 p.m. ET).

"It feels good, but we're still putting ourselves in situations where we shouldn't be," Montreal defensive tackle Ed Philion said. "That game shouldn't have been half as close as it was. We have a long way to go."

Winnipeg is third in the East at 7-8.

"It's a dogfight (in the East Division)," Winnipeg running back Charles Roberts said. "Of course you want to be in first place, especially going into a bye week, but we're still a playoff contender."

Montreal began the year with a 6-0 record, but consistently struggled putting points on the board during the losing streak. That was evident against the Bombers — Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo completed 21-of-30 passes for 272 yards but didn't throw a touchdown.

The Alouettes had to rely on Duval and Edwards, who rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries.

Calvillo did complete his 3,385th pass during the game, moving him ahead of Ron Lancaster for third place on the CFL all-time completions list.

Short touchdown run

Montreal led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter Edwards's touchdown run and a safety. Winnipeg scored on a short touchdown run by Roberts.

Duval kicked field goals of 34, 46 and 23 yards, and Winnipeg kicker Troy Westwood connected on a 43-yarder as Montreal enjoyed an 18-10 advantage at halftime.

The Alouettes led 20-13 going into the fourth quarter after Duval kicked two singles and Westwood booted another 43-yarder in the third.

Duval's fourth field goal early in the fourth padded Montreal's lead but Winnipeg cut the deficit to just three points when Kevin Glenn threw a 10-yard touchdown strike to Derick Armstrong at 8:22.

The touchdown was a result of a costly Montreal turnover. Alouettes running back Avon Cobourne bobbled Westwood's punt and Bomber safety John Sullivan pounced on the ball at Montreal's 43-yard line

A taunting penalty on Montreal cornerback David Sanchez kept the drive alive, allowing Glenn, who finished the game 17-of-30 for 166 yards with two interceptions, to hit Armstrong with his only touchdown pass.

Winnipeg tried to rally but a late drive stalled at midfield and the Bombers were forced to punt. The Winnipeg defence couldn't contain the Alouettes who racked up four first downs to kill the clock.

"That last drive by the offensive line was a gallant, gallant drive," Montreal head coach Don Matthews said.

"That drive and[Calvillo] calling those plays and getting those first downs, that was a big time drive on the road.

"We tried to give it away with fumbles and penalties, but we managed to get through it."