Match Report - By John Hoey

An injury-time goal from full-back Mick Dunlop netted a vital three points for Brechin in a dour and uninspiring struggle against Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill.

Dunlop headed the winner in 93rd minute just as the game looked certain to be heading for a 1-1 draw.

Albion opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Jamie Gilmartin rifled home a terrific free-kick but City got back on level terms after 30 minutes when Paul McManus converted from the spot after he had been brought down in the box by home keeper Chris Fahey who was then sent off by referee Brian Colvin.

City certainly had the bulk of possession in the second-half but the game looked to be heading for stalemate until Dunlop’s last-gasp goal.

Albion midfielder Ryan McStay was the second Albion player to be sent off deep into injury-time presumably for dissent.

Albion Rovers had the first chance after only two minutes when Ryan McStay collected the ball at the edge of the City box but he shot weakly past Craig Nelson’s left-hand post.

City’s first opportunity came five minutes later.

Paul McManus sent a pass to Derek Carcary at the right edge of the Albion penalty-box and he crossed into the box for David McKenna who was right in front of goal but he couldn’t control the ball and the opportunity was lost.

Albion hit right back three minutes later to open the scoring.

Gary Fusco was adjudged by referee Brian Colvin to have fouled Andy Scott just outside the City penalty-area and Jamie Gilmartin stepped up to crack a superb right-foot drive past Nelson into the top corner of the net.

City had a chance to draw level a couple of minutes later when McManus headed the ball back for Carcary but the winger’s 20 yard drive went just past.

Carcary had an even better chance three minutes later when another good flick from McManus saw him clean through on goal, but he overran the ball and the danger was cleared.

However, City grabbed the equaliser in dramatic circumstances on the half-hour mark.

A Craig Molloy pass saw McManus bore in on goal but as he rounded the keeper he tumbled down in the box.

Referee Colvin immediately pointed to the penalty-spot and sent keeper Chris Fahey off for fouling the City striker.

The hosts immediately substituted Chris Boyle for reserve keeper Derek Gaston who had no chance whatsoever as McManus expertly dispatched the spot-kick.

This goal gave City more confidence and they went on the attack in search of another goal but the nearest they came was when Molloy crossed into the box for Mick Dunlop in the 38th minute, but the full-back headed over the bar.

Both teams attacked after the break but early goalmouth chances were few and far between.

Carcary and McKenna both had shots blocked in the 58th minute and McManus volleyed wide in the 63rd minute after a cross from substitute David Crawford.

In the 77th minute, McManus shot weakly at keeper Derek Gaston and the City striker had another shot parried by the keeper seven minutes later.

With the game looking to be stuttering to a 1-1 draw, City scored a dramatic winner deep into injury time.

The visitors won a corner on the right which was taken by sub Garry Brady who sent a great delivery into the box for Gerry McGlauchlan who headed back across the box for the incoming Dunlop who headed what had seemed an unlikely winner into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Worse was to come for Albion when midfielder Ryan McStay was dismissed for abusive language just seconds after City's winning goal.

Postmatch Interview with Jim Weir

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