The home side opened the scoring after East Fife had enjoyed the early pressure without troubling Derek Jackson in the home goal.
Ally Graham began the move from his unusual role as sweeper for the day by sending a ball on to the head of Andy Brand. Brand's head flick went right into the path of Derek Ure, who ran on to the edge of the area before beating John Dodds with a low angled drive.
East Fife's response was a shot from Craig Smart which flew high over the bar. Then the same player was responsible for clever play which led to the equaliser. Kris Brash's pass into the penalty area was neatly dummied by Smart, giving Stuart Noble the time and space to find the net.
Ure began the second half with a shot which shaved the upright, and Shire were very much giving as good as they got with a new lease of fighting spirit which had been absent during the previous weeks.
The winner eventually came seven minutes from the end and was rough justice on goalkeeper Derek Jackson. A low cross from the Fifers' left wing into the penalty area was met first time by Smart, and although Jackson made a superb stop the ball rebounded kindly to Paul Hampshire who netted from 10 yards.
Shire's Ally Graham was unlucky to be sent off for a second yellow card offence which happened because the veteran was just too slow in making a tackle.