Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City’s Highland league title hopes were dealt a blow at Harlaw Park with Inverurie Locos running out 1-0 winners.

The only goal of the game came after 27 minutes when Milosz Ochmanski fired a close-range drive into the roof of the net and although City tried hard to find the equaliser the hosts always looked dangerous when they pushed forward and also defended extremely well and they ran out deserved winners.

Locos had the first decent chance of the match after just 12 minutes when Callum Duncan’s beat City’s offside trap and pushed forward into the penalty-box but Lenny Wilson was quickly off his line to avert the danger.

City hit back and they were very unfortunate not to grab the equaliser when Marc Scott flighted in a cross from the right straight to Fraser MacLeod but home kept Zack Ellis brought off an instinctive point-blank save to deny the `City midfielder.

Both sides were evenly matched in the opening 25 minutes but the deadlock was broken in the 28th minute when MILOSZ OCHMANSKI fired home a fine right-foot drive with the City defence unable to clear their lines.

The first chance of the second-half came City’s way three minutes in when Dayle Robertson pushed forward and tried a shot from around 20 yards which was palmed away by Ellis.

Locos were looking dangerous every time they moved forward and they came close to increasing their advantage when a net-bound Jay Halliday drive was blocked by the visitors defence.

As the minutes ticked away, City were exerting pressure in an effort to salvage a vital point but the home defence, superbly marshalled by Callum Dingwall stood firm as the Locos held on for a vital victory.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Buckie Thistle 6 Deveronvale 1

Fraserburgh 1 Turriff United 0

Keith 0 Brora Rangers 5

Rothes 0 Lossiemouth 0

Strathspey Thistle 1 Huntly 1