Match Report - By Steven Mew

Paul McManus and David McKenna caused problems for the East Fife rearguard.
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Brechin City were pegged back by set-piece goals for the second time in the space of a few days against East Fife at New Bayview last night.

The players were left to rue cheap fouls in and around the box against Dumbarton on Saturday and it was a case of deja-vu yesterday evening as the Methil side capitalised from set-pieces.

Paul McManus came back to haunt his former club with the opening goal only for Robert Sloan to equalise from the spot. David McKenna restored City’s advantage but the Fifers completed an entertaining first half with Sloan doubling his tally with a curling free kick just minutes later.

Jim Weir made two changes from the weekend draw against Dumbarton with Jim Lister making way for David McKenna whilst Paul McLean recovered from injury to replace Gary Fusco at right back. City lined up:

Craig Nelson

Paul McLean – Ewan Moyes – Mick Dunlop – Jonny Lindsay

Rory McKenzie – Craig Molloy – Gary Brady – Bryan Hodge

Paul McManus – David McKenna

The East Fife side contained three former City players in Andrew Cook, Darren Smith and also midfielder Neil Janczyk, who departed the club in January. David White, a former City favourite, was in the stand serving a suspension following his dismissal last week against Arbroath.

It was the home side who created the first chance of the match after five minutes when Bobby Linn cut inside from the wing before unleashing a strike that went high and wide of Nelson’s goal.

City started the game brightly with Paul McManus flashing a cross in front of goal which just needed a taker and the same player also struck a venomous free kick straight into the arms of home keeper Michael Brown.

The early pressure paid off for City when they took a deserved lead in the 24th minute. PAUL MCMANUS dodged Scott Durie on the edge of the box before lashing past Michael Brown with the aid of a deflection.

However the lead was short lived as the home side equalised just two minutes later. Paul McLean was adjudged to have fouled in the box and ROBERT SLOAN made no mistake from the spot, sending Nelson the wrong way.

The home side took confidence from the equaliser and danger-man Bobby Linn wasn’t far away with a whipped cross that flashed across the face of goal, just evading Scott Dalziel at the back post.

City regained the advantage with a well worked goal just after the half hour mark. Garry Brady made a surging run through midfield before laying the ball down the wing for Rory McKenzie, and the on-loan Killie man intelligently cut the ball back for DAVID MCKENNA to strike the ball sweetly into the far corner.

The ascendancy was now firmly with the visitors and McKenna came close to bagging his second when he blazed a McManus cross over the bar.

As the first half came to a close, the Fifers drew level. Mick Dunlop conceded a cheap foul on the edge of the box and Robert Sloan stepped up to curl a perfect free kick beyond a helpless Nelson.

The end to end nature of the game continued in the second half with both McManus and McKenna causing havoc with their runs in behind a depleted East Fife defence.

Craig Molloy was next to have a go for City when his 20 yard strike went straight into the arms of Michael Brown. Darren Smith came close with an almost carbon copy at the other end with Nelson equal to it.

City were controlling much of the play but the home side continued to threaten on the break. Striker Ryan Wallace, often a thorn in the flesh for City this season, layed the ball off perfectly for Robert Sloan who could only find the side netting.

Brechin came agonisingly close to taking the lead for a third time when McKenna cut inside and forced Michael Brown into a good save and the rebound just fell behind the on-rushing Paul McManus. A minute later Mick Dunlop headed over the bar from a Garry Brady cross.

The travelling support breathed a sigh of relief 8 minutes from time when Nelson made a fantastic block from substitute Craig Johnstone after clever set-up play by Ryan Wallace down the left hand side.

City pushed hard for a late winner but it was the Fifers who were given a glorious chance to win the game after being awarded a penalty in stoppage time, with Molloy penalised for a fairly soft foul inside the box. Robert Sloan stepped up looking for his hat-trick but Nelson made a great save down low to his left hand side.

A defeat would have been incredibly harsh on Brechin who will feel they had done enough to win the game, let alone draw.

City manager Jim Weir said after the game, “That’s the best any side I’ve brought here has played; I can’t believe we haven’t won.

“But it’s mixed emotions because we played some good stuff but have again dropped points because of fouls we’ve given away around the penalty box.”

A point puts City within 3 points of 4th placed Stenhousemuir who lost by a solitary goal at Cliftonhill against Albion Rovers.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Albion Rovers 1 Stenhousemuir 0

A crucial 3 points for Albion as they battle against the drop.

Dumbarton 0 Cowdenbeath 2

Impressive away win for title chasing Cowdenbeath against in-form Dumbarton.

Stirling Albion 2 Forfar Athletic 2

Late equaliser from McSorley earns Stirling a share of the points.