THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL -- Even when points are scarce, the Toronto Argonauts are finding ways to win.

The Argonauts used a touchdown catch by Arland Bruce and three Noel Prefontaine field goals to defeat the floundering Montreal Alouettes 16-9 in a defensive battle before a crowd of 44,510 at Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

The Argonauts (9-7) -- 35-17 winners last week in Toronto -- completed a two-game sweep of the Alouettes (7-9) and opened a four-point gap for second place in the East Division.

Their fifth straight win and seventh of their last eight games also clinched at least second place in the CFL East Division.

They sit one point behind Winnipeg, each with two games to play, and play host to the Blue Bombers next Saturday at the Rogers Centre.

"It's been a different person or a different group each week, whether it's Michel Bishop or Robert Edwards or the defence," said linebacker Michael Fletcher. "We're still trying to play a complete game and the great thing about it is that we still have opportunities to do that.

"You hold an offence like that to no touchdowns, that's an awesome feat for this team and this defence."

The defence had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and forced Montreal to give the ball up on downs twice.

The Alouettes, who have lost five of their last six games, managed only two Damon Duval field goals, a single and a safety.

Fletcher made two huge plays.

After Alouettes veteran Ben Cahoon's 92-yard catch-and-run put the ball on the Argos' seven early in the third quarter, Jarrett Payton carried twice to reach the two. On third and goal, Payton swung to the outside, but was caught by Fletcher for no gain.

"Honestly, the person I have to credit is (Yves) Hercules," said Fletcher. "He took out two blockers and left me one on one with the running back."

On Montreal's next possession, Anthony Calvillo's pass was tipped and Fletcher grabbed it in a crowd for an interception at the Montreal 38, which set up a field goal 59 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Calvillo passed for 283 yards and Payton rushed for 79, but turnovers, 12 penalties and a tough Argo defence kept them from scoring a touchdown for the first time since their season opener against Saskatchewan, a 16-7 loss.

"The game plan was there, but we had missed opportunities and mental mistakes," said Calvillo. "This has gone on all year.

"I missed a read, a receiver went the wrong way -- it's a broken record. If we keep doing this, we'll keep losing. It was just a poor job of executing on our part, even if the effort was there."

Brian Bratton fumbled a punt on his own 31 to give Toronto the only scoring of the first quarter, a field goal. After a Damon Duval missed attempt went for a single, Kenny Wheaton's long interception return set up another Prefontaine field goal at 10:11 of the second.

Tempers briefly took over, as Montreal linebacker Diamond Ferri was ejected for kicking tackle Mike Pearson in a pileup on a short gain by former Alouette running back Robert Edwards. Ferri said Pearson was banging his head on the artificial turf.

The penalty helped Toronto drive the ball 100 yards for a TD, capped by Bishop's 29-yard strike to Bruce at 12:21.

Bruce then ran to centre field and stood like a statue on the Alouettes' logo holding up the ball, which drew a 10-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty tacked onto the ensuing kickoff.

He said it was for the benefit of the Montreal defensive back he beat on the play, Chip Cox.

"We've been in a battle since last year," said Bruce. "I just thought I'd do something neat.

"I wasn't looking to penalize the team. but there was a battle going on all game and I felt I had to do something to let him know `look, I am the guy and you can't cover me.' I was trying to send a statement to him."

Montreal's response was a drive resulting in Duval's 31-yard field goal with 38 seconds left in the half. Duval added a 36-yarder to start the second half.

The loss is sure to add fuel to the debate over the coaching of Jim Popp, the general manager who took over as coach from Don Matthews late last season and opted to keep doing both jobs.

When questioned about it after the game, Popp snapped "I've done a hell of a job. That's my self-evaluation.

"Is our record great? No. But in my opinion, I've done the job the organization asked me to do. We had to make changes and we have a lot of younger players. There's a lot of things we had to face this year that we haven't had to before in our 12 years here."

The problems have been the same for Montreal all season -- giveaways (37), sacks allowed (a league-worst 64) and wasted scoring chances.

"We dropped two interceptions, we didn't recover a fumble on the ground," added Popp. "Both defences played great today, but they did the better job creating turnovers. It's frustrating."

The Alouettes end the season with games in Calgary and Winnipeg and are in danger of finishing below .500 for the first time since their return to Montreal in 1996.

Quarterback Damon Allen was back in uniform from a foot injury for Toronto, but didn't play.