Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City 1 Stranraer 3

Brechin City ended their Scottish League One campaign with a 3-1 defeat from Stranraer who became runners-up in the league after new champions Morton's victory at home to Peterhead and Forfar's defeat at home to Ayr United.

City fell behind after 21 minutes when Stephen Stirling fired home from close-range but they equalised within a minute when Ryan Ferguson's lob beat visitors keeper David Mitchell. The Blues regained the initiative two minutes before the break when Willie Gibson converted after he had been adjudged by referee Craig Charleston to have been fouled in the box by Ewan McNeil and the former Queen of the South midfielder wrapped up the points for his side in the 74th minute, again from the penalty-spot after a Daniel Stoney shot had been blocked by City defender Darren McCormack who was then sent off by the referee for what appeared he decreed to have been deliberate handball despite the fact that it was clear there had been no such intention.

City manager Ray McKinnon decided to rest four first team regulars - Alan Trouten, Bobby Barr,Colin Hamilton and Graeme Smith while Gerry McLauchlan remained on the injured list and Andy Jackson was suspended.

The Blues had the first effort of the match within seconds of the game starting with Stirling's long-range effort from over 30 yards was tipped over the bar by Paddy O'Neil and seconds later Sean Winter headed a Gibson cross from the right just over the bar.

City hit back, and in the 7th minute Robert Thomson tried a shot from the edge of the box but it lacked lower and David Mitchell in the Stranraer gathered the ball easily. Thomson came closer a minute later when he collected a long kick-out from McNeil and fired in a shot which went just past Mitchell's left-hand post and three minutes later at the other end Winter drove a shot over the bar after being played in by Jamie Longworth.

The Blues were having the edge in possession and pressure and they grabbed the lead in the 21st minute when Gibson won the ball on the left and played a short pass into the box for Stirling whose fierce right-foot drive gave O'Neil no chance.

City hit straight back though and they were level within a minute when Calum Tapping played a good pass through the visitors defence to Ferguson who appeared to be crowded out by the Stranraer back-line but nevertheless, he managed to lob the ball over Mitchell into the top right-hand corner of the net with the Stranraer players adamant that he had used a hand to control the ball.


Play then swung from end to end but the Blues regained the initiative a couple of minutes before the break with a controversial penalty awarded by referee Craig Charleston. Gibson collected the ball wide on the left and forced his way into the home penalty-box appearing to foul Ewan McNeil as he was pushing forward but incredibly, Mr Charleston saw it the other way and awarded a spot-kick to the Blues which was duly converted by Gibson.

The Blues had the first opportunity of the second-half in the 51st minute when Stirling floated a good free-kick into the box for Longworth who despite having plenty of time and space directed his header well wide of the target.

City thought that they had drawn level a couple of minutes later when Jamie Masson picked up the ball on the right and delivered a good cross into the box for Thomson who slotted the ball home but the stand side linesman had his flag up for offside.

Stranraer then came very close to increasing their advantage in the 58th minute when Stoney dispossessed McCormack on the left and crossed into the box for Jon McShane but with the goal at his mercy, the striker fired wide.

City then moved forward with Thomson picking up a pass wide on the left and then pushing forward before trying a drive which was well held by Mitchell.

Play then moved into the City half with a Winter shot from the edge of the box bringing off an instinctive save from O'Neil.

However, the Blues wrapped up the points in the 74th minute with another penalty controversially awarded by referee Charleston.

The ball was played out wide on the left to Stoney whose shot spun off the leg of McCormack and struck him on the hand. There had clearly been no intention on Darren's part to handle the ball but Mr Charleston decided otherwise and issued a red card to the City defender with Gibson stepping up again to slot the ball past O'Neil from the penalty-spot.

Other Results - Scottish League One

Airdrieonians 3 Dunfermline Athletic 2

Diamonds End Campaign With Home Win

Forfar Athletic 1 Ayr United 3

Loons Slip Up At Final Hurdle

Morton 3 Peterhead 1

Ton Are Champions After Home Victory

Stirling Albion 3 Stenhousemuir 2

Warriors In Play-Offs After Defeat At Forthbank