Match Report - By Steven Mew

City slipped to a disappointing 1–0 defeat against an in-form Fraserburgh side yesterday afternoon - a result that saw Ray McKinnon's men miss the chance to go top of the Highland League table and instead it was the Broch who seized the initiative to move to the summit.

In a match played in blustery, testing conditions - the only fixture in the division to survive the weather - City never quite found their rhythm with a first-half own goal proving decisive on a frustrating afternoon at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

Manager Ray McKinnon made one change from the side that defeated Lochee United the previous weekend, as Craig Hepburn returned in goal.

City began the better of the two sides, adapting well in the opening exchanges and creating a couple of promising chances. After just two minutes, Grady McGrath’s deflected shot spun narrowly wide, before Mitch Taylor saw an effort blocked 12 minutes later. From the resulting corner, McGrath’s dangerous in-swinging delivery almost caught out keeper Andy Reid who had to tip over.

However it was the visitors that took the lead on 16 minutes. A Barbour corner was swung into the six-yard box where Dugald Farquhar was unfortunate to see his header arrow past Hepburn and into the back of the net for an own goal.

City looked for a quick response, with Finlay Allan’s strike blocked for a corner midway through the half. The Broch carried a constant threat on the break and only an excellent save from Hepburn kept Brechin in touch shortly after the half hour mark when Scott Barbour broke clear but was denied by the keeper’s legs.

McKinnon made a double change at the interval in an attempt to inject some steel and fresh energy, introducing Paul Watson and Mitchell Findlay in place of Finlay Allan and Grady McGrath.

Despite the changes, it was Fraserburgh who carved out the early second-half openings. Callan Gray forced two saves from Hepburn - the first a deflected effort straight at the keeper whilst the second was turned away at the near post.

City tried to build some momentum, with Taylor seeing another effort deflected wide but their afternoon got significantly harder just after the hour mark when Cillian Sheridan was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Brechin continued to battle on and came close to an equaliser with fifteen minutes remaining when Farquhar’s inviting cross was inches away from being turned home by Findlay at the back post.

Fraserburgh looked to seal the points late on with Will Sim denied by Hepburn on the counter, and skipper Willie West twice going close - first sending an ambitious 40-yard attempt narrowly over before heading just off target from a corner in the final minutes.

Overall it was a disappointing afternoon for City in testing conditions and it was a missed opportunity to go top of the table with a win, instead a defeat saw them slip down to 4th.

Attention now turns to next weekend’s trip to Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park, where City will look to respond and get back to winning ways.