Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City 3 Airdrieonians 2

Brechin City moved to the top of League One after a 3-2 victory over Airdrieonians at Glebe Park.

In a pulsating encounter, City twice took the lead only to be pegged back twice, lost their goalkeeper through injury and had a goal disallowed before a superb header from Dougie Hill twelve minutes before the end wrapped up a well deserved victory.

The spirit the whole team displayed today augurs well for the long campaign ahead and the City players and supporters will be looking forward to next week's top of the table clash against Livingston at Almondvale as the team attempt to consolidate pole position at the top of the table.

Manager Darren Dods recalled Chris O'Neil and Andy Jackson to his starting line-up with Gareth Rodger and Aaron Lynas making way.

City threatened right from the kick-off and a cross from the left n the second minute from Willie Dyer was chested down by Andy Jackson into the path of Ally Love but a last-gasp tackle from Daniel Boateng prevented the midfielder getting in a shot.

Another good move from the hosts four minutes later ended with Finn Graham firing in a shot from the edge of the box which appeared to strike Boateng on the arm but referee Gavin Duncan dismissed City claims for a penalty
City were playing some good football and putting the visitors defence under pressure and they got their reward in the ninth minute when they grabbed the opener. The ball was played through to Jackson at the right side of the penalty-box and he quickly passed to Ross Caldwell whose shot was blocked by Diamonds keeper Rohan Ferguson with the ball rolling straight to Love who slotted the ball into the empty net.

City kept up the pressure and a great diagonal ball from Dyer found Jackson who turned and fired in a shot which was blocked with the loose ball falling for Love whose first-time volley was well over the bar.

The visitors then had a short spell of pressure with Hill heading a Kieran McDonald shot away for a corner and they pushed forward again a couple of minutes later when Jack Leitch played a good ball through to Andy Ryan whose right-foot drive was held at full stretch by Graeme Smith.

Airdrie continued to press and a Conor McLaughlin shot was deflected for a corner by Paul McLean. From the resultant kick Smith was injured in a collision and despite treatment from physio Richard Walker it became clear that the keeper would jot be able to continue with Paddy O'Neil replacing him a few minutes later.

The Diamonds again came forward and they grabbed the equaliser in the 37th minute.

A delightful pass from Leitch fell perfectly for Ryan who eluded the challenge of Euan Smith to fire the ball past O'Neil.

City hit back and a 20 yard drive from Graham went narrowly past Ferguson's right-hand post and they had the last chance if the first-half in the 41st minute when a cross from the right from O'Neil was volleyed past the target by Love.

The Diamonds started the second-half on the offensive and within the first three minutes, O'Neil was called into action bringing off two saves in quick succession from Adam Brown.

Both sides then pushed into attack in an effort to get the next goal and City thought they had scored it in the 65th minute when Jackson eluded a number of challenges from visiting defenders to blast the ball past Ferguson but for whatever reason the goal was disallowed after stand-side linesman had raised his flag. However, City's anger at the decision turned to sheer joy three minutes later when Jackson collected a pass on the right side of the box and then drilled a low drive past the despairing arms of Ferguson.

City's delight however, was short-lived as the visitors equalised for the second time three minutes later.

Brown flighted a free-kick into the City box with full-back Scott Stewart getting on the blind side of the home defence to glance a header past O'Neil.

Despite this setback, the City players rolled up their sleeves in an effort to clinch the game with a decisive third goal and it came with twelve minutes remaining when Ally Love collected the ball wide on the right and delivered a great cross into the box for Dougie Hill who powered a superb header well beyond the reach of Ferguson.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League One

Albion Rovers 4 Stenhousemuir 0

Emphatic Home Win For Albion

Alloa Athletic 1 Livingston 3

Livi Take The Honours At Recreation Park

East Fife 2 Stranraer 0

Fifers Overcome Blues

Peterhead 2 Queen's Park 0

First League Win For Blue Toon