Match Report - By Grant Hood

Manager Ray McKinnon took his team to the far south west to face league leaders Stranraer in his 100th game in charge, full in the knowledge that to extend City's 12-game unbeaten run, his team would have to perform well against the last side to inflict a defeat - that being a 2-1 reverse at Glebe Park in October.

City made no changes to the starting line up which had deservedly secured a victory against Ayr United the previous weekend, with Dundee loanee Craig Wighton retaining his starting place in the attacking third - a decision which would become of increasing significance as the afternoon progressed.

The league leaders kicked off and were first to press with an early diagonal free kick being shepherded behind for a goal kick by Gerry MacLauchlan.

City won the first of nine corners in the 3rd minute, but after a momentary flurry of panic, 'Jacko' saw his attempt to block a clearance deflected wide. The first real threat on goal saw a more than decent Craig Wighton drive from 20 yards palmed over the bar by home keeper David Mitchell. The home custodian almost blotted his copybook by fumbling the resultant corner, but recovered to regain possession at the penalty spot. Shortly afterwards, neat interplay from Andy Jackson and Bobby Barr from a Paul MacLean free kick on the right was thwarted only by a spectacular diving defensive header from home defender Scott Rumsby.

After 11 minutes, pleasing interplay between Colin Hamilton and Bobby Barr saw a stinging shot from City's livewire forward warm the home keeper's palms, before play returned to the other end and a timely block from 'Hammy' frustrated home debutant Jon McShane as he made a terrific connection to shoot from just outside the penalty box.

The homesters came close again shortly afterwards when a drive from Sean Winter - who had secured the Stair Park side's clincher in City's last defeat at The Glebe in October - whizzed past Graeme Smith's right hand post.

A sequence of wholehearted midfield exchanges saw the award of a contentious free-kick to the homesters and a lengthy and frank exchange of views between City supremo Ray McKinnon and referee Calum Murray. Moments later creative play between Paul MacLean and 'Trouts' saw City earn a corner from their right flank which flashed across the goalmouth.

Shortly after, City conceded a free-kick but were relieved to see Willie Gibson shoot well over from 30 yards despite The Blues packing the penalty area. From the next midfield exchange, a central through ball from Alan Trouten sought out Andy Jackson but, despite his run being blocked, his hopeful glance solicited no response from the referee.

Shortly after, a thunderous but well timed challenge from Gerry MacLauchlan near the right touchline snuffed out a potential breakaway by McShane. Indeed, this would become a recurring theme throughout the match as Gerry, and his central defensive partner Darren McCormack, dealt well with the Stranraer strikeforce.

City saw out another threat when Bobby Barr sought out Andy Jackson to re-secure possession after a Stranraer corner. Sean Winter regained possession and played in Craig Malcolm - but the homester's No 9 blazed over the bar. Unseen by many, the raised flag of the assistant referee de-fused any controversy - much to the disdain of the locals.

In the lead-up to half-time, Andy Jackson and Craig Wighton combined in the home penalty box, but the Dundee loanee's back-heel failed to find Alan Trouten and the attack petered out. In response, some composed interplay driven by Craig Malcolm and supported by Steven Bell, saw a 25-yard drive by Scott Rumsby blocked for a corner by City skipper 'Tiger' Molloy.

To City fans the next passage of play was as unexpected as it was welcome. It was in the final minute of the first half when "Pabs" MacLean rose expertly at the front post to defend an inswinging corner, and his headed clearance was hooked towards the half way line. Refusing to accept mediocre possession, City's No 10 CRAIG WIGHTON, secured the ball between the League Leaders' defensive pairing and, turning on the afterburners, impressively left the prospect of a cynical foul in his wake, and accelerated beyond the bemused home defence, slotting the ball into the net, past the despairing reach of the home keeper - much to the joyous rapture of the noisy away support.

Significantly, and perhaps crucially in terms of the ultimate outcome, City's keeper Graeme Smith produced an absolutely outstanding save to ensure that the Glebe Parkers went into half-time with a hugely encouraging half-time lead intact. "Buzz" reacted exceptionally in mid-air to re-adjust his position to grasp and hold a 25-yard effort which was deflected at the edge of the box.

Few in Stair Park at this point could grudge Brechin City a half-time lead, with the realists in the ground accepting that the 2 key moments in the game had taken place in the seconds leading up to the break.

City started the second half playing into the challenging breeze and, despite this, Craig Wighton showed outstanding composure and close control on the left wing leaving 3 home defenders in his wake, to force a corner which ultimately came to nothing. In response Gerry MacLauchlan had to stoop low to awkwardly deflect a Sean Winter cross for a corner.

Gary Fusco, who was outstanding for City on the day, drove forward from his more fundamental defensive duties, and produced a delightfully chipped pass to Bobby Barr. In turn, his delicious pass to Andy Jackson at the far post saw no takers to his equally enticing dink back across the goalmouth. Some more encouraging interplay from Hamilton, Trouten and Jackson resulted in yet another cut-back which, sadly for the travelling support, saw a blue rather than red shirt recipient.

It was midway into the second half when a foul from Craig Molloy drew the day's only yellow card for a lunge on his midfield No 8 counterpart, Grant Gallacher.

The game's final quarter saw a series of home substitutions, before City sealed the points. A corner on the left from Bobby Barr was met on the run by CRAIG WIGHTON on 72 minutes and his quite deliciously placed header from 6 yards drifted into the net over the head of the home defender on Stranraer's left hand post.

Andy Jackson received a Colin Hamilton throw-in inside the box, turned and created space - but sadly for City his cut back didn't find a team-mate.

City's only substitute of the day, striker Robert Thomson, brought new energy to Brechin's front line with less than 10 minutes to go, and helped City see the game out. Referee Calum Murray blew the final whistle after 4 minutes of stoppage time to see Ray McKinnon's men secure a win which saw their undefeated run stretch to a commendable 13 games.

Despite the lengthy journey, the City faithful who made the trip to the south west, could return home joyful in the knowledge that their favourites had secured fourth place in League One, with the tasty prospect of facing up to Peterhead FC (Rory McAllister et al) at Glebe Park next weekend.

Manager Ray McKinnon's 100th match in charge had secured his 44th victory. More significantly, the Club had sent a clear statement of intent to other League One challengers that, by inflicting a rare defeat on the league leaders (on their own patch too), the Brechin City promotion challenge was indeed real.

Other Results - Scottish League One

Ayr United 1 Morton 1

McCall's United secure first point

Dunfermline Athletic 2 Airdrieonians 2

Pars Winless Run Continues

Forfar Athletic 1 Stenhousemuir 0

Loons Return to Winning Ways

Peterhead 2 Stirling Albion 1

Quick-Fire Blue Toon Secure Points