Match Report - By John Hoey

City moved closer to a play-off spot with a vital win against East Fife at Glebe Park.

Kevin Byers was the Brechin hero, scoring the only goal of the game in the 65th minute when he headed home a Mark Archdeacon flick.

If City can win next Tuesday’s home game against Cowdenbeath they will definitely seal their place in the play-offs as neither Dumbarton or Peterhead would then be able to catch them.

City manager Jim Duffy was a happy man at the final whistle.

“ The victory today coming off the back of a heavy midweek defeat showed that the players have a lot of character,” said Jim.

“ It wasn’t the prettiest of games and the lads had to work really hard and roll up their sleeves to grind out a result. The strong wind and fiery pitch made things difficult but the players showed real determination to win the game.”

“ I was pleased with their commitment and desire and it was a terrific finish from Kevin Byers to win the game for us.”

“ Over the piece, I was delighted with the victory as it was a very tough match.”

The visitors had probably the better of the first-half with Craig Nelson being called into action in the 28th minute when he dived to his left to save a 25 yard Stuart Murdoch shot and goal hero Byers came to the rescue of his side in the 35th minute when he did well to head a Lloyd Young header off the goal-line.

City’s only real opportunity in the opening 45 minutes was when Mark Archdeacon neatly side-stepped his marker to fire in a left-foot drive which was well saved by Michael Brown in the East Fife goal.

City came close to opening the scoring after the break in the 61st minute when a superb 25 yard free-kick from Charlie King was tipped over the bar by Brown and seconds later the keeper did well to parry a 20 yard Rory McAllister drive.

City kept up the pressure and it paid off in style after 65 minutes when Byers finished off a good move between McAllister and Archdeacon to head strongly into the net.

Byers was certainly in the thick of the action as he came close to doubling his and City’s tally in the 77th minute when he side-footed the ball past the post from good position and three minutes later at the other end he headed a David Muir header off the line.

East Fife assistant boss Scott Crabbe said,

“ I thought that we played really well without causing too many problems in terms of chances created.”

“ I felt that we dominated the game in terms of possession and it was particularly disappointing to lose the goal in the manner that we did.”

“ The defeat is a hard one to take as I felt we deserved to take something from the game.”

“ We now face a very vital match at home next Saturday against Stenhousemuir.”

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Alloa Athletic 1 Dumbarton 2

Great Win For Sons At Recreation Park

Arbroath 1 Cowdenbeath 1

Lichties Secure VitalPoint

Clyde 3 Peterhead 1

Bully Wee Continue Good Run

Stenhousemuir 1 Stirling Albion 3

Good Away Victory For Binos