Forres move up to sixth with seventh consecutive win
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The Can-Cans got off to the perfect start when Lee Fraser bundled the ball home from close range in the 12th minute from a corner.
Things got worse for Rothes in the 26th minute when Steven Fraser got on the wrong side of his Forres namesake Lee and pulled back the striker on the edge of the box.
Referee Filippo Mazzoni showed the Rothes defender a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity although the free kick on the edge of the box came to nothing.
Rothes were arguably the better side for long spells with 10 men.
Two minutes into the second half, Dale Gillespie should have levelled when he got on the end of Daniel Moore's free kick into the box but headed straight at Forres keeper Stuart Knight.
On 51 minutes midfield Craig Cormack tried a long range effort when Knight's miscued clearance landed at his feet but the keeper was able to recover and gather the ball close to his goal.
Forres went 2-0 up against the run of play when from another corner, Rothes failed to clear their lines and Mechanics skipper Stuart Soane slammed the ball into the net from inside the six yard box.
Robbie Duncanson wrapped up the points 12 minutes from the end when he latched onto a great pass from sub Martin Groat and fired the ball high into the roof of the net.
Rothes kept pushing forward and when Jaime Wilson went down under a challenge in the box they were awarded a penalty which was tucked away by Moore.
Forres face a tough challenge next Saturday away to unbeaten league leaders Cove Rangers.
Forres boss Charlie Rowley was pleased with the win but admitted his side struggled to get the better of the 10 men.
Rothes counterpart Steve Macdonald was pleased with his side's effort and commitment at playing with 10 men for more than an hour, but was unhappy at their inability to defend at corners.
