Match Report - By Keith Johnston

There was a first start for on-loan Partick Thistle midfield man, ‘Manny’ Panther as Ian Campbell’s table-toppers headed to Recreation Park to take on a resurgent Alloa Athletic.

There was also a welcome return, albeit on the bench, for the influential Kevin Byers. The ex-Forfar man hadn’t kicked a ball for City since the Scottish Cup-tie against Hibernian.

Alloa started well against the league leaders and in the eleventh minute Jose Quitongo and James Stevenson worked well to give Ross Hamilton a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal turned the ball away for a corner.

Ex-Hamilton winger, Jose Quitongo, had the Brechin defence under pressure when he ran from inside his own half and beat four defenders, but Andy Brown was unable to finish and his poor shot from 11 yards went past the post.

City gradually settled and a series of free-kicks and corners bought scant reward, especially as Stuart Callaghan’s delivery of set-pieces was one of the highlights of the first half.

In the 17th minute Chris Townsley brilliantly cleared Paul Ritchie’s low drive from only six yards from the line, after Ritchie had neatly side-stepped his marker.

Two minutes later Graham Gibson's close-range header was saved low at the post by James Evans, after Panther had got the ball over from the touchline.

Brechin took a grip of the game, and the Alloa defence were pushed back by the slicker City passing game.

Paul Ritchie broke the deadlock after 42 minutes when he ran on to a delightful through ball from Steven Hampshire and gave Evans no chance, despite the acute angle.

City should have gone in two goals ahead after a clever through ball from Callaghan sent Gibson racing into the box. The big striker had his shirt pulled by Ovenstone, but remained on his feet to get a shot in, which produced a magnificent save at his near post from Evans.

Alloa started the second half under the cosh, but were unlucky not to equalise five minutes after the restart when Stevenson connected with a Ross Hamilton cross only to see his well-struck shot saved low at the post by Brechin keeper Craig Nelson.

City had another penalty claim turned down when Ritchie appeared to be fouled by Micheal Bolochoweckyj, who pulled the striker back as he tried to reach a Ferguson cross at the far post, again clearly having his shirt pulled. Big Ritchie, whose bookings are almost as rare as Gary Lineker’s were, had his name taken for complaining to the referee, about the decision.

If Brechin were guilty of anything in the second period, it was defending too deeply and as the game wore on, it made their attacks more difficult to build upon.

Alloa through caution to the wind in the last quarter-of-an-hour and their pressure was rewarded with an equaliser in the 80th minute when Brown Ferguson was on hand to rise unchallenged above the Brechin defence and from only four yards out head home a John Ovenstone cross from the left, which Ally Mitchell failed to block.

Despite getting a lift from the introduction of Byers, with five minutes left, It was too little too late. And City were left to rue those missed chances in the first half, with a draw just about the right result on the day. However, with Stranraer drawing at home, no ground has been lost as yet in the quest for the Championship.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 2

Berwick Rangers 2 Stenhousemuir 2

Berwick leave it late to get a point.

Forfar Athletic 6 Dumbarton 0

Dumbarton's 10 man defence goes AWOL.

Morton 2 Ayr United 1

Morton defeat Ayr who Brechin meet at Somerset Park on Tuesday.

Stranraer 3 Arbroath 3

Stranraer ahead three times, but Arbroath leave Stair Park with a point.