Match Report - By John Hoey

City slipped up at home for the second game in succession, losing by 1-0 against Dumbarton at Glebe Park, with a Scott Chaplain goal after 57 minutes ensuring victory for the Sons, who now sit just two points behind City in the Second Division table having played one game more.

To add to Brechin’s woes, captain Neil Janczyk had to be stretchered off the park early in the second-half with what appeared to be a very bad ankle injury and new Latvian defender Anton Kurakins also had to leave the field after just half an hour after he fell awkwardly. The chances of either player being able to participate in the team’s remaining vital matches would appear to be slim.

Manager Jim Duffy made just one change to the team that lost against Peterhead on Saturday with young Latvian midfielder Krisjanis Vallers replacing Mark Docherty. Mark Archdeacon, who was rated as extremely doubtful prior to the game made the starting line-up.

The first opportunity came Dumbarton’s way after just five minutes when Janczyk gave the ball away to Andy Geggan, but the Son’s midfielder completely miscued his shot and the chance was gone.

The visitors had another opportunity a couple of minutes later when Martin McNiff collected a good cross from the left from Michael Dunlop and fired in a shot but City keeper Craig Nelson proved equal to the task.

City’s first chance came after twelve minutes when Charlie King drove the ball against Son’s keeper Michael White. The ball cannoned off the keeper and ricocheted off centre-back Ben Gordon before narrowly rolling past the post.

In 32 minutes, Dunlop hit a left-foot drive well wide and a couple of minutes later, Dennis Wyness weaved his way into the box and fired in a shot which Nelson did well to save.

City came very close at the other end of the park just five minutes later when White brought off a great save from Rory McAllister and deep into stoppage time the keeper performed heroics to tip a Gary Fusco overhead kick over the bar.

City started the second-half on the offensive and were unlucky not to grab the lead within the first minute when a great save from White denied McAllister.

The Sons though hit back straight away, and Nelson had to look lively to tip a Geggan drive round the post.

McAllister broke free of the Dumbarton rearguard and was clean through for City just a minute later but he hit the side-netting with the goal at his mercy and a couple of minutes later White brought off a good save from Docherty after the midfielder had shot from just within the box.

Both teams were going all out for the opening goal but it was Dumbarton who broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

Dunlop tried a speculative pass into the City box and Chaplain was on hand to slot the ball into the corner of the net beyond the reach of Nelson.

Substitute Derek Carcary had a great chance to wrap up the points for the visitors in the 75th minute when he took advantage of a short pass-back from Paul McLean but he shot past the post from great position.

City were going all out for the equaliser and a good header from Vallers was tipped over the bar by White.

With the minutes ticking away, the hosts kept taking the game to Dumbarton in an effort to get the equaliser, but the Son’s defence, superbly marshalled by Ben Gordon held on for three vital points.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Peterhead 0 Stenhousemuir 1

Stenny Take The Honours At Balmoor