City got their pre-season preparations underway yesterday evening - going down 4-2 to Cove Rangers in a closed door friendly at Glebe Park.

New recruits Luc Bollan, Scott Cusick and Rory Currie were all on from the start, accompanied by the more familiar faces of Lewis McMinn, Sean McIntosh, Ross Brown, Kieran Inglis and Martin Scott. Manager Mark Wilson also ran the rule over several trialists who completed the starting 11.

It wouldn't take long for striker RORY CURRIE to make his mark in a red shirt as City took the lead after just 5 minutes. The former Hearts man placed his shot low into the net after the ball had fallen kindly for him in the penalty box.

Paul Hartley's side had arrived at Glebe Park with plenty of quality and experience in their ranks, and this would begin to tell as they grabbed a foothold in the game.

With 10 minutes on the clock Jamie Masson dragged a shot wide after a neat move whilst another former City player in Rory McAllister curled a free kick past the post.

City stopper Lewis McMinn was called into action on 21 minutes when he made a point blank save to keep out Jordon Brown's powerful header.

Despite the visitors having much of the possession, City looked dangerous on the break with pace aplenty going forward. Jimmy Scott tried his luck with a speculative volley which didn't trouble McKenzie, and two minutes later the lively Inglis saw his drilled effort gathered by the Cove keeper.

The City rearguard were holding firm with Cove being limited to shots from range and with ten minutes until the break, the advantage was doubled at the other end through JIMMY SCOTT. The experienced frontman held up the ball on the edge of the box and struck a fine effort on the turn which dipped over McKenzie and into the net.

In quite anomalous circumstances, half time team talks were carried out on the park whilst the goalposts and corner flags were disinfected.

The visitors had the luxury of changing almost their entire team at the break, with the only survivors being Blair Yule and Tom Leighton. City meanwhile were unchanged.

The deficit was halved ten minutes into the second period when a neat through ball was lashed into the far corner by SEB ROSS, who had just signed for Cove during the week.

City made five changes on the hour mark with Luc Bollan, Ross Brown, Jimmy Scott, Rory Currie and a trialist making way for Scott Reekie, Jonathan Page, Benjamin Luissint and a further two attacking trialists.

Cove were cranking up the gears with Mitch Megginson stinging the hands of McMinn and the City keeper had to be alert a minute later to tip over another powerful effort from the former City man.

The pressure finally told after 66 minutes when Cove brought it back to level terms as LEIGHTON MCINTOSH found space in the box to fire into the far corner. Ten minutes later the same player would again display some ruthless finishing to put the visitors in front, again finding the bottom corner leaving McMinn helpless.

City had an opportunity eight minutes from time when substitute Benjamin Luissint had a go from the edge of the box but his shot flashed wide of goal.

However, two minutes later Paul Hartley's side put the gloss on the win with a fourth goal. A ball was slipped through into the box for DANIEL HIGGINS who made no mistake, firing across McMinn and into the far corner.

Overall, a very worthwhile exercise for City who were put through their paces by a very strong and familiar looking Cove outfit - one that will be expected to challenge at the top end of League 1 this season.

Brechin City: Lewis McMinn, Sean McIntosh, Trialist (Jonathan Page 60),Ross Brown (Benjamin Luissint 60), Luc Bollan (Scott Reekie 60), Kieran Inglis, Rory Currie (Trialist 60), Martin Scott (Trialist 60), Scott Cusick, Trialist, Trialist. Subs not used: Patrick O'Neil , Connor Coupe.

Cove Rangers 1st Half: Stuart McKenzie, Blair Yule, Tom Leighton, Ryan Strachan, Adam Livingstone, Trialist, Broque Watson, Jordon Brown, Rory McAllister, Fraser Fyvie, Jamie Masson.

Cove Rangers 2nd Half: Demus Balint, Blair Yule, Tom Leighton, Daniel Higgins, Scott Ross, Trialist, Connor Scully, Sebastian Ross, Jamie Semple, Leighton McIntosh, Mitch Megginson.