Match Report - By Steven Mew

You could almost taste the sense of relief that filtered its way around Glebe Park at the final whistle following Brechin’s deserved 2-1 victory over Queen’s Park.

Two early goals gave City all three points for the first time this season.

However, had the home side taken a fraction of the opportunities they created, they would have undoubtedly avoided the nervous final eight minutes that ensued after the visitors had pulled a goal back.

City manager Michael O’Neill was delighted with the victory, but still felt there is room for improvement from his team.

“For the first half-hour we were completely on top and could have scored two or three more. But I felt some of the changes which were forced upon us affected our composure a little and that allowed Queen’s Park back into the game in the second half.

“I was delighted for our two front players to get amongst the goals.

“That is Darren Gribben with two goals in as many games since he joined us and to be honest, he could have had a hat-trick today. But his overall performance was impressive.

“I also felt our second goal was not only finished really well by Martin Johnston, but the football leading up to it and Kevin Byers’ delivery into the box were excellent.

“This is a step in the right direction for us. We have to produce the sort of form we did today in the first half for the entire 90 minutes.”

Gribben’s praise from his manager was well merited.

Darren Gribben latched on to a slack Mark Ferry back-pass after just seven minutes to cleverly lob the ball over the out-stretched arm of visiting goalkeeper Scott Murray.

Two minutes later Brechin were well in command. Byers made room for himself on the right flank and sent an inch-perfect cross perfectly glanced into the bottom corner by Martin Johnston.

Gribben had further opportunities in each half to increase his side’s tally.

With the score still 2-0 City were first denied by an impressive Murray save from Charlie King’s free-kick, a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Paul Paton and Murray denied Johnston a close-range third.

City survived a penalty shout against substitute Adam Nelson, whom the visitors claimed handled the ball on the goal-line.

Nelson had replaced skipper Darren Smith after 27 minutes and the reds will be hopeful he does not have a lengthy absence as he was clearly missed in the City engine room.

Steven Canning hooked home a goal for the Spiders with eight minutes left.

The visitors enjoyed a lot more of the ball in the second period, but rarely could penetrate a City defence in which Scott Walker and David White impressed.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 2 Peterhead 0

Alloa continue their good form.

Ayr United 1 Ross County 4

County hammer Ayr at Somerset.

Cowdenbeath 3 Berwick Rangers 1

Berwick still rooted to the bottom.

Raith Rovers 2 Airdrie United 1

Raith edge Airdrie at Starks.