Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City remain in sixth place in the Irn Bru Second Division table despite last night's disappointing home defeat to Stirling Albion who now draw level on points with Albion Rovers at the bottom of the table.

The Binos went in at the interval two goals up through Alan Cook and Mark Ferry and a further goal from Gary Thom in the 61st minute wrapped up victory for them. Despite Paul McManus reducing the deficit within a minute of Stirling's third goal, City could not manage to overcome their opponents.

Manager Jim Weir made a couple of changes to the side that lost at Cowdenbeath on Saturday with Gary Fusco coming in for Paul McLean at right-back and David Crawford replacing David McKenna on the right side of midfield. There was a place on the bench for under 19 full-back Scott Webster.

The first-half was entertaining and evenly contested with both teams pushing forward in an effort to grab the opening goal.

The Binos had the first chance after four minutes when Mark Ferry sent a drive from 25 yards just wide of the target.

City responded with a Craig Molloy shot from around 10 yards but Stirling keeper Callum Reidford brought off a fine save to deny him.

The visitors pushed forward and Craig Nelson was called into action in the 22nd minute when he held a 30 yard Ferry drive and a minute later, the veteran keeper was called into action again when he palmed a Darren Smith right-foot angular drive round the post for a corner.

Smith had another chance six minutes later when he blasted an Alan Cook cross from the right well wide of the target.

City came right back though, and Bryan Hodge hit a David Crawford shot just wide and a minute later the midfielder had another go when he forced Reidford to bring off a point-blank save.

The play was swinging from end to end but Stirling shocked City to the core with two goals just before the break.

The first goal came in the 41st minute when they won a free-kick at the right side of the City penalty-box.

Ferry touched the ball to Alan Cook who blasted a great left-foot drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Stirling pressed immediately for a further goal and it came a couple of minute later.

A Smith shot was blocked on the line but the rebound went straight to Ferry who blasted the ball high into the roof of the net.

The Binos continued on the offensive after the break and they seemed to put the game out of Brechin’s reach in the 61st minute when Gary Thom rose well above the City defence to head home a Cook corner.

City though hit right back to reduce the deficit just a minute later when Gary Fusco swung over a cross from the right and Paul McManus was on hand to power a header into the net via the far post.

City boss Jim Weir said,

“ The most disappointing aspect for me tonight was the goals we lost.”

“ If you lose bad goals you don’t win games and unfortunately for us, that’s what happened tonight.”

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