Match Report - By Steve Mitchell

HAVING overcome Berwick Rangers on three previous occasions this season, Brechin were confident of getting back on the rails at Shielfield on Saturday, but as they found seven days previously teams that are fighting for their very survival tend not to lie down and die.

Of the entire Berwick 11, only left-winger Darren Smith would get in the Brechin side. But the Borderers deserved credit, simply because they worked, fought and passed the ball so much better than the league leaders.

Sheer guts, rolling up of the sleeves and a belief that they could as good as they got deservedly won the day for Berwick –presenting them with their first home win since the first day of the season.

Just five minutes into the game City went behind, James Sharp headed the ball straight into the path of Darren Smith who ran through unchallenged to lob a majestic finish over the exposed Craig Nelson.

Smith’s runs from the wide left channel were the main highlight of the first half. Little wonder Brechin had previously been linked with the game’s most outstanding player by miles.

Smith went close again when he brought Nelson to his knees to make a fine save. But Brechin managed to hold on, despite playing against a gale-force wind.

Brechin had a couple of chances in the first period. The closest saw Charlie King force a snap shot wide. Paul Ritchie couldn’t finish strongly enough after breaking into the box on a through ball and the same player failed to connect with a shot on the turn as City threatened from set-pieces.

It was the second period, and with the wind behind them, until City levelled. Charlie King cut in from the left and curled a shot in off the post which gave O’Connor no chance.

For ten minutes after levelling, Brechin were well on top. The only period in the game where they could lay claim to that. Scott Walker, Paul Ritchie, Graham Gibson and Steven Hampshire all had sniffs of goal during that period, but City couldn’t get their noses in front.

They were made to pay by ex-Brechin player, Kevin McLeish, who squared the ball across the face of the six-yard box for Kevin Gordon to force home the decisive goal of the game.

Brechin threw everything forward in an attempt to get something from the game. But while there was lots of huffin n puffin, there was no chance of blowing the Berwick House down with the outstanding Grant McNicoll marshalling his side alongside Mark Cowan and shutting the back door.

‘Manny’ Panther was thrown on for the last five minutes, but like most of the other attacking players, found there was little in the way of opportunities for the second debutante.

The best news of the day for Brechin came with Ayr United taking the lead at Stair Park and things got better for Brechin with the other two top sides also losing out on the day.

But City know that with two home games coming up against the second and third placed sides in the division and a trip to Dumbarton sandwiched in between, they must get back on form quickly.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Dumbarton 3 Morton 0

Dumbarton prove last week's result was no fluke with a demolition of Morton.

Forfar Athletic 1 Arbroath 1

Honours even in the relegation battle at Station Park.

Stirling Albion 0 Alloa Athletic 4

Stirling have been in good form lately, but were hammered by Alloa today. The men from Forthbank visit Glebe Park next Saturday.

Stranraer 1 Ayr United 3

Ayr come from behind to beat Stranraer at Stair Park.