Match Report - By Steven Mew

City were the last side to defeat Airdrie, 4-2 at Glebe Park and their form since that pivotal performance has seen the Glebe Park side go from strength to strength.

There are still a few Airdrie fans who think because their side has a few full-time players and is a "bigger" club than Brechin that it is a divine right to be above them in the table.

Michael O'Neill's side handed out a lesson in hard work, effort and determination, which was typified by the performance of captain Darren Smith. Since the lose of Gary Fusco through injury, Smith has taken over the role of snapping at the heels of opposing defenders, but has also popped up with some vital goals into the bargain in the last couple of weeks.

City started this game positively, taking the fight into the Airdrie half early on and Kevin Byers tried his luck from distance, but was just slightly wide of the target. Ian Diack was next to threaten after a high ball into the box saw him trying to put Airdrie goalkeeper, Stephen Robertson under pressure.

City thought they had the perfect start with a great through ball from Neil Janczyk which put Ian Diack in on goal. The big striker once again showed great composure in front of goal, but he was denied, not by the efforts of the goalkeeper, but by a raised flag from the referee's assistant, who ruled his "goal" out with a borderline offside call.

Airdrie came into the game and danger-man, Allan Russell, who almost joined Kilmarnock in the transfer window fired high over the bar.

Back came City and John Ward and Davie White were both causing problems for the home defence when they ventured forward for set plays. From a Janczyk corner, the ball found its way to White at the far post and he got the bal back across the face of goal, but City couldn't take advantage.

Airdrie won a corner after Craig Nelson pushed the ball away after it bounced awkwardly in front of him. However. it was City that came back stronger again. First Byers made ground on the right, but couldn't find Diack inside the box and then Diack set up Darren Smith who seemed to have opened the scoring, only for Paul Lovering to kick his net-bound drive off the line.

Once again City went off at half-time level in a game in which they should have been in front in. There was no panic in the second period however. It was Airdrie that appeared to get more desperate with a succession of high balls which the impressive White and Ward soaked up one after the other.

Ian Diack tried to lob the goalkeeper after good awareness from Michael Paton had forced the Airdrie goalkeeper into a mis-hit clearance. Diack's effort looped over the bar.

Darren Smith handed his side a thoroughly deserved lead after 57 minutes and it was a goal which was well worth waiting for. The City skipper saw the ball bounce in front of hm on the 18 yard line and he hit a stunning left-foot volley into the top corner, which gave the goalkeeper no chance.

City were denied a second when Michael Paton raced away from Marc Smyth and looked odds-on to score, but he screwed the ball wide of the target with the goalkeeper to beat. A goal for Paton would have been a fitting reward for yet another hard working display.

At this stage of the game, City were on top and it was no surprise when they went two goals up with another well worked goal from good wing play by Kevin Byers. Byers won a tackle on the right and sent in a well measured cross to the far post, where Charlie King had timed his run to perfection to steer home his 11th goal of the season.

Ian Diack was replaced by Calum Smith and Smith got in on the act straight away with an effort on goal that Robertson gathered comfortably.

It was only in the last five minutes of the game that Airdrie threw caution to the wind and City looked under considerable pressure. The Diamonds were rewarded with a consolation goal from Stuart Noble and even it had a stroke of good fortune. His first effort was blocked by Craig Nelson and his second only managed to hit the target, after Dave Murie had slipped in front of him.

Another great win on the road for City and while City are now just a point off a play-off place, equally importantly in thi sultra-competitive division, they are ten points off a play-off place at the other end off the table. For City Ward, White, Smith and Paton excelled.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 3 Cowdenbeath 2

Alloa with a last minute winner.

Berwick Rangers 0 Ross County 4

County continue their march towards the title.

Peterhead 1 Queen's Park 0

Bobby Mann with the only goal of the game.

Raith Rovers 1 Ayr United 2

Raith's championship hopes are looking bleak.