Match Report - By John Hoey

Airdrieonians 2 Brechin City 1

A least-minute goal denied Brechin City a share of the spoils against Airdrieonians at Excelsior Stadium.

City started the game really well and deservedly took the lead after quarter of an hour when Robert Thomson hit home a right-foot drive from just within the penalty-area but the Diamonds drew level a minute later when Ross Gilmour tapped in a free-kick from Caolin McAleer.

The teams were evenly matched in the second-half but Gregor Buchanan wrapped up the points for the Diamonds deep into injury-time when he headed home a McAleer free-kick.

City manager RayMcKinnon included former Dundee United stopper Garry Kenneth in his opening line-up while Robert Thomson who scored on his home debut last Saturday against East Fife retained his place up front.

Ex City striker Jim Lister led the Airdrie attack.

City started the match really strongly and put pressure on the Diamonds defence straight from the kick-off.

Allan Walker tried a shot from 25 yards after just three minutes but it was well over the bar but City were getting forward in numbers and they were unlucky not to open the scoring three minutes later when a Bobby Barr lob was headed off the goal-line by Stefan Milojevic and from the resultant corner Graham Hay powered a header just wide of the target.

City threatened again a couple of minutes later when Robert Thomson headed a Barr corner narrowly past.

The visitors were firing on all cylinders and they were unlucky again after nine minutes when a superb pass from Andy Jackson sent Barr away on the left and he pushed forward before delivering a great cross into the box for Walker who blasted a right-foot drive against the underside of the bar.

Jackson did really well after 14 minutes when he broke free of the Airdrie rearguard and fired in a shot which cannoned off Grant Adam's right-hand post.

A goal just had to come given the pressure that City were applying and it arrived a minute later.

Paul McLean picked up the ball midway in the Airdrie half and played a good pass forward to Thomson who kept his composure to fire home a beauty from just inside the box.

City's joy was short-lived however when the home side dramatically levelled the match in their first attack a minute later.

They won a free-kick on the right and when Caolin McAlleer's kick came into the box, Ross Gilmour had a simple close-range to grab the equaliser.

This goal increased the confidence of the home players with McAlleer firing a free-kick just wide a couple of minutes later and shortly afterwards the City defence were relieved to see two shot in quick succession from McAlleer blocked by Kenneth and then Smith.

The Diamonds created the first opportunity of the second-half when they broke quickly from defence to attack with Keighan Parker firing in a shot from just within the penalty-box which Graeme Smith managed to palm away.

City responded straight away with Jackson showing great control in the box to move away from his marker and driving in a shot which Adam held at his near post.

Both sides were finding it difficult to create anything clear-cut in front of goal with most of the action contained to the midfield area.

Nathan Blockey did try a long-range shot for the Diamonds which was well wide and similarly at the other end Derek Carcary fired in a shot which was well wide of the target.

However with time running out the Diamonds scored a dramatic late winner.

They won a free-kick wide on the right and McAller delivered a great cross into the City box for Gregor Buchanan who headed the ball past Smith.