Match Report - By Steven Mew

City had to settle for a share of the spoils as they were pegged back twice by fellow title challengers Banks O’ Dee yesterday afternoon.

Manager Patrick Cregg was forced into a late change to his starting 11 with Kevin McHattie pulling out – he was replaced in the lineup by Marc Scott.

City got off to a great start as they took the lead after 8 minutes. Lewis Milne fed Marc Scott down the right hand side and he delivered a low cross into the box for CILLIAN SHERIDAN who provided a smart finish for his first Brechin goal.

The lead would be short lived however as the Aberdeen side levelled things up on the quarter hour mark. MICHAEL PHILIPSON collected the ball just inside the box and he fired a crisp finish into the bottom corner.

On 20 minutes a cross from Scott Bright found Cillian Sheridan lurking in the box but his shot on the turn was blocked by Nathan Cooney.

Ten minutes before the break, a cross into the box was headed only as far as Spencer Moreland on the edge of the box but his half-volley was charged down by the visitors defence. Another fine block saved Banks O’ Dee when Cillian Sheridan did well to flick Lewis Milne’s lobbed ball into the box into the path of Scott Bright but his strike was kept out by Lewecki.

Four minutes before the break City were back in front. An excellent passing move ended with Scott Bright swinging in a pinpoint cross for the unmarked MARC SCOTT who powered a header in at the back post.

It could have easily been 3-1 going into the break as City had the ball in the net again. A free kick from Lewis Milne was met with a looping header by Lewis Martin which found the net despite the best efforts of a defender on the line. The celebrations were short-lived however, as the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Six minutes into the second half, Cillian Sheridan had a glorious opportunity to grab his second when he played through on goal by Ewan Loudon however he was denied by the legs of Daniel Hoban.

Such is the fine margins in football, what could have been 3-1 quickly turned to 2-2 in the space of a few minutes. Fraser Macleod was booked for preventing a counter attack and from the resulting free kick, Kane Winton headed against the far post but the ball fell kindly for ANDREW HUNTER who knocked the ball over the line.

Midway through the half, a quickly taken free kick from Lewis Milne found Ewan Loudon inside the box but just as he pulled the trigger, the ball took an unfortunate bobble and he sliced his effort wide.

With 77 minutes on the clock at the other end, some head tennis inside the box resulted in the ball falling kindly for the unmarked Nathan Cooney at the back post but fortunately for City he sliced wide when he should have hit the target.

City searched for a winner in the closing stages and seven minutes from time. Liam Callaghan, who came on to make his debut for City played a fine ball to Ewan Loudon down the right hand side of the box – his low cross was nearly turned into his own net by Nathan Cooney however Daniel Hoban was on hand to keep it out.

Less than a minute later, Dayle Robertson also came close when his lob looked to have Hoban beaten but the Banks O’ Dee keeper did well to gather at full stretch.

Tempers flared as the game approached stoppage time when a scramble in the box resulted in a melee which saw Kane Winton given his marching orders for a second yellow card, whilst Brad McKay and Max Alexander were also booked for their involvement in the incident.

The 10-men could have grabbed a dramatic winner in the dying seconds when Lachie Macleod broke away from Brad McKay and he fed fellow substitute Max Alexander but he delayed on the shot and his ball into the box was cleared away to safety.

Overall, a point apiece was probably a fair reflection of the game however City will be disappointed not to have come away with a win after going ahead twice. The result, coupled with Brora Rangers winning 3-0 at Wick saw the Cattachs move back to the top of the league on goal difference. City do however have that all-important game in hand over Steven Mackay’s side.

Next up for City is another home fixture next Saturday, this time against Buckie Thistle who returned to winning ways yesterday with a 5-1 victory over Rothes at Victoria Park.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Buckie Thistle 5 Rothes 1

Deveronvale 2 Turriff United 1

Formartine United 2 Fraserburgh 1

Lossiemouth 1 Inverurie Locos 3

Wick Academy 0 Brora Rangers 3