Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City 1 Ayr United 0

Brechin City brought the curtain down in an incredible week with a deserved 1-0 victory over third-placed Ayr United at Glebe Park.

Robert Thomson scored the all-important goal sixteen minutes from the end to net City a vital three points as they battle to stave off the threat of relegation. With nearest rivals Forfar Athletic and Cowdenbeath losing against Stranraer and Albion Rovers respectively, City have narrowed the gap against the Loons who have played one fewer game to just one point while the points difference with Cowdenbeath has reduced to four points.

There's no doubt that if City can maintain the gritty determination and battling qualities they showed against Forfar and Ayr they will give themselves more than a fighting chance of avoiding the drop, with their destiny firmly in their own hands.

City manager Darren Dods made just one change to the side that defeated Forfar on Tuesday night. Andy Jackson failed a last-minute fitness test with Lewis Spence who missed out against the Loons coming into the side.

The first-half was evenly contested with clear-cut chances for both sides at a premium.

City had a half-chance after 18 minutes when a long ball from defence was headed by Robert Thomson into the path of Liam Watt who shot high over the bar.

Ayr had a better opportunity on the half-hour mark when City failed to clear their lines at the edge of the penalty-box with the ball falling kindly for Ryan Stevenson who drilled in a low drive which was held by Graeme Smith.

City had another half-chance with nine minutes of the half remaining when Watt floated a good free-kick into the Ayr box for Darren Dods but his header was too direct and Greg Fleming saved easily.

The Honest Men put pressure on the City rearguard straight from the restart with Ross Docherty and Alan Forrest firing wide before Smith came to City's rescue bringing off three miraculous saves in quick succession from Jamie Adams, Stevenson and Forrest as the visitors turned the screw.

However, with sixteen minutes remaining, City made the vital breakthrough.

They won a corner on the left and Watt swung in a perfect cross for Thomson who rose above the visitors defence to head strongly past Fleming.

Ayr surged forward in the closing stages in an effort to grab the equaliser but the City defence held firm for a vital three points.

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