Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City moved to joint top position in the Ladbrokes League One table after a hard fought victory over Peterhead at Glebe Park.

Former City striker Rory McAllister slotted home the opening goal in the 32nd minute but City hit back to equalise three minutes before the break when Ally Love blasted the ball into the roof of the net after an Andy Jackson shot had been parried into his path by Blue Toon keeper Graeme Smith.

City faced periods of intense pressure from the visitors for much of the second-half but they kept their composure, defended resolutely and hit back to grab the winner with six minutes remaining when a perfectly executed Jackson lob netted his side three vital league points.

Manager Darren Dods made three changes from the side that had gone down to a 2-1 defeat from Livingston the previous week with Elliot Ford coming in for the injured Chris O'Neil and Finn Graham and Ross Caldwell making way for Lewis Spence and Alan Trouten.

City started on the front foot and in the third minute Trouten passed into the box for Ally Love whose fierce left-foot drive was tipped over the bar by Graeme Smith.

The Blue Toon hit back immediately with a McAllister angular drive being deflected for a corner and at the other end ten minutes later a drive from Willie Dyer was well wide of the target.

City keeper Graeme Smith was then in the thick of the action in the 27th minute bringing off two saves in quick succession, firstly palming away a Scott Brown effort and then tipping a McAllister drive round the post. However, the keeper was helpless to prevent the visitors opening the scoring five minutes later when some excellent build up play at the edge of the City box ended with the ball being played through to McAllister who picked his spot in the bottom corner of the net.

City fought back and Trouten did really well to dribble his way past a couple of defenders before delivering a good pass across the face of the goal but Simon Ferry cleared the ball away.

City kept trying however and they got their reward just three minutes before the break when Dyer crossed into the box for Jackson who immediately fired in a shot which was parried by Smith but unfortunately for him, only into the path of Love who blasted the ball into the roof of the net.

City had the first opportunity after the break when a Dougie Hill header from a Dyer free-kick was held by Smith but thereafter, the Blue Toon took the game by the scruff of the neck and applied almost continuous pressure on the home defence.

In the 55th minute, a Jamie Stevenson free-kick was parried by Smith and cleared away by the home defence and McAllister fired in a shot five minutes later which was blocked Paul McLean. Euan Smith then had to head the ball clear under intense pressure but only as far as McAllister who rifled in a drive which was just inches over the bar.

The Blue Toon kept surging forward but the home defence were standing firm and defending resolutely although they were being hemmed into their own half.

Just when it appeared that the visitors pressure was going to play off, City somehow managed to step up a gear and began to push forward in search of the winning goal and it came with just six minutes remaining.

Finn Graham, who had replaced Spence just nine minutes earlier did well to retain possession allowing James Dale to play a delightful pass through to Jackson who kept his composure to execute a perfect lob over oncoming keeper Smith.

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