Match Report - By John Hoey

Stirling Albion 0 Brechin City 1

Brechin City moved back up to fourth place in the Scottish League One table and narrowed the points gap over leaders Stranraer to seven points, with two games in hand over the Blues after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over basement club Stirling Albion at Forthbank.

To be fair, it was probably City's most ineffective performance of the season against a hard-working and industrious Binos side but it was absolutely vital to pick up maximum points to keep the pressure on at the top end of the table and thankfully an Alan Trouten penalty after 61 minutes ensured a City win and set the team up nicely for Tuesday night's encounter against Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park.

City manager Ray McKinnon recalled Andy Jackson to the starting line-up and there was also a starting place for Robert Thomson who scored the equaliser in last week's 1-1 home draw with Morton. Ryan Ferguson and Craig Storie dropped to the bench. Also on the bench was new loan signing from Falkirk Ollie Durojaiye.

Graeme Smith was called into action after just a minute on the clock when City conceded a free-kick just inside their half with the big keeper having no difficulty in safely gathering Angus Beith's kick.

The hosts should have done a bit better three minutes later when they broke quickly from defence with Gordon Smith playing in Sandy Cunningham who fired in a shot which was parried by Smith at full stretch before being cleared by Colin Hamilton and a Craig Comrie drive after 20 minutes was deflected for a corner.

The Binos continued to press with City uncharacteristically finding it difficult to find any cohesion in their play with many of their passes going astray. The hosts threatened again after 28 minutes when Hamilton was booked for a foul on Ross McGeachie and from the resultant free-kick Smith was at full stretch to tip a header from Lewis Coult over the bar. A couple of minutes before the break Coult had another effort from a wide left position saved by Smith and on the stroke of half-time City had their first effort of the match on target when a Thomson header from a Bobby Barr cross was easily held by Greg Patterson.

City started the second-half fairly brightly and Bobby Barr provided an opportunity for Paul McLean in the 47th minute when he squared the ball across the face of the penalty area but 'Pabs' right-foot drive went inches past the post. The hots hit back though and a delightful pass from Craig Comrie provided an opening for Phil Johnston but Smith was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and to block the winger 's shot.

City were still finding it difficult to get into any sort of rhythm with the home defence and midfield working hard to restrict their movement both on and off the ball but the vital breakthrough came the visitors way after 61minutes.

Alan Trouten picked up the ball wide on the left and as he weaved his way into the home penalty area he was brought down by Kevin McKinlay. There was absolutely no doubt that it was a penalty and 'Trouts' himself stepped up to cooly slot home the spot-kick.

The Binos tried to hit back in an effort to grab the equaliser but the City back-four ably marshalled by Gerry McLauchlan and Darren McCormack stood firm and City held on for a vital victory.

Other Results - Scottish League One

Forfar Athletic 1 Dunfermline Athletic 0

One Goal Enough For Loons

Morton 2 Stranraer 0

Ton Narrow Gap To One Point

Peterhead 2 Ayr United 0

Blue Toon Too Strong For Honest Men

Stenhousemuir 0 Airdrieonians 2

Good Away Win For For Diamonds