Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City were forced to settle for a share of the spoils as they drew 1–1 with Banks O’ Dee in a tightly contested Breedon Highland League encounter yesterday, a result that saw City relinquish top spot in the table.

Manager Ray McKinnon made 3 changes from the side that defeated Rothes last weekend as Fraser Macleod, Ethan Crombie and Finlay Allan all came into the starting 11.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and looked dangerous from the opening exchanges. Just two minutes were on the clock when former City man Liam Duell was presented with an early opportunity but Brad McKay was alert to the danger and got back to block his effort after some hesitant defending.

Banks O’ Dee continued to apply pressure and almost made the breakthrough in the sixth minute. A low cutback into the box found Sam Pugh in space, but the ball bobbled awkwardly just as he went to shoot, looping up into the air before City eventually scrambled it clear.

Despite being second best in the early stages, Brechin struck first against the run of play in the eighth minute. Grady McGrath’s inswinging corner caused real problems for goalkeeper Matthew Duncan, who could only get a weak punch on the ball. The loose ball dropped perfectly for BRAD MCKAY who rose highest to nod home from close range and put City ahead.

The lead, however, lasted just seven minutes. Banks O’ Dee levelledon the quarter hour mark when a neat cutback found Dundee loanee ASHTON LEIPER inside the box and the midfielder kept his composure to sweep a low shot beyond the reach of Hepburn.

The visitors smelled blood and went close again almost immediately. Hepburn was called into action twice in quick succession, first pushing away a Duell effort at his near post in the 17th minute before parrying a fierce volley from Kane Winton a minute later.

City began to grow into the game as the half wore on and fashioned a number of chances of their own. Finlay Allan nearly pounced in the 22nd minute after getting in behind the defence, but Joe McCabe showed great recovery pace to make a perfectly timed challenge.

Allan was again involved on the half-hour mark when a long ball from Euan Spark wasn’t dealt with by the Banks O’ Dee back line, though his snapshot was comfortably gathered by Duncan.

Further opportunities followed for the hosts. Marley Sweenie-Rowe curled a free-kick well over from distance on 36 minutes, before Allan turned his man smartly four minutes later only to fire wide.

Just before the interval, Ethan Crombie’s cross was met by the head of Cillian Sheridan, but his effort lacked power and was safely collected by the goalkeeper.

The second half opened in similar fashion, with Banks O’ Dee threatening first. In the 48th minute, some slick passing on the edge of the box created space for Pugh whose curling effort drifted inches wide of the far post.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium after the break until the game opened up midway through the half. Duell tested Hepburn again in the 67th minute with an angled shot but the City keeper was well positioned to save.

City then had two gilt-edged opportunities to take all three points. The first came in the 73rd minute when McGrath cleverly flicked the ball through for Allan who left Reynolds trailing and raced clear on goal. With only Duncan to beat, the young forward blazed his effort well over the bar, perhaps undone by another unfortunate bobble at the vital moment.

Four minutes from time, City were left holding their heads in disbelief once more. Sheridan slipped a perfectly weighted pass in behind the defence for McGrath to latch onto but City's top scorer dragged his shot wide with the keeper beaten.

Those misses almost proved costly late on as Banks O’ Dee finished strongly. In the 89th minute, substitute Michael Philipson whipped in a dangerous cross that Euan Spark inadvertently diverted onto his own post.

Deep into stoppage time, Philipson came close himself when he curled a shot just past the far post in what was a huge let-off for the hosts.

At the final whistle, a point apiece felt like a fair reflection of an entertaining and evenly matched contest. However, City will be left to rue those missed one-on-one chances in the second half - opportunities that could have kept them at the summit of the Highland League.

Attention now turns to a tough test next weekend, with Brechin City travelling to Victoria Park to face Buckie Thistle as the title race continues to ebb and flow.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Brora Rangers 3 Wick Academy 0

Formartine United 3 Turriff United 1

Forres Mechanics 4 Inverurie Locos 0

Huntly 1 Nairn County 2

Lossiemouth 0 Clachnacuddin 2