Match Report - By Webmaster

Match report taken from the Courier:

"BRECHIN COULD have no complaints abut being knocked out of the CIS Cup by a Livingston side that was sharper and stronger, writes Chris Hardy.

"But the 3–0 scoreline seemed a bit harsh after City’s second half resurgence that saw them go close on several occasions.

"Livingston had a chance in the first minute when John Ward and Ryan Pow stood off Joe Hamill giving him a chance to take a sight on goal but Darren Smith charged down the shot.

"City’s first shot on target came from Stuart Callaghan but goalkeeper Colin Stewart gathered easily.

"In the 20th minute Allan Walker had a header saved on the line by Craig Nelson then Steven Craig hit the side netting.

"City had a chance to open the scoring in the 35th minute when Ward headed over off a Callaghan free kick that found him unmarked just 10 yards out.

"Two minutes later Livingston were ahead.

"Graham Dorrans’ half -hit shot became a cross that slipped through the home defence for Craig to ‘sclaff’ the ball, which trundled in at the post.

"In the 40th minute Dorrans made it 2–0 with a sweetly struck 30–yarder that was past Nelson before he could move although City protested that the strike had been preceded further up field by a foul on Paddy Connolly.

"City restarted looking sharper and with forward Chris Geddes supplementing the attack in place of defender Pow.

"Goalkeeper Stewart miscued a clearance and with the goal gapping Smith sliced yards wide.

"In the 78th minute a Ward header was tipped over the bar and from the corner, the ball fell to Callaghan who volleyed yards wide from close range.

"Just when City looked as if they might just get one back, Livingston struck with the perfect counter attack.

"With just three minutes to go, the match was killed off when Lee Makel’s cross was headed back from the far post by Craig to set up an easy chance for substitute Steven Hislop to head home his first goal of the season.

"Plucky City’s immediate reply was an Iain Russell shot across the face of the Livingston goal.

"In an even tempered match, referee Dougie MacDonald found it necessary to book five Brechin players and one from Livingston.

"Yellow–carded were Callaghan, Pow, White and Smith of Brechin along with McPake of Livingston.

"Livingston manager John Robertson admitted he expected a tough match and that the goal that set up his win was fortunate.

"The second ‘wonder goal’ settled it but City’s second half performance convinced the visiting manager that Brechin would be challenging in the play–offs."

Other Results - CIS Cup Round 2

Alloa Athletic 2 Ross County 1

Ayr United 0 Dunfermline Athletic 0

Dunfermline won 7-6 on penalties.

Dundee United 1 Airdrie United 0

After Extra Time

Hibernian 4 Peterhead 0

Motherwell 3 Partick Thistle 2

Queen of the South 1 Kilmarnock 2

After Extra Time

Queen's Park 0 Aberdeen 0

Queen's Park won 5-3 on penalties.

St Johnstone 4 Elgin City 0

St Mirren 3 Stenhousemuir 1