Match Report - By Grant Hood

Brechin City 0-0 Stranraer

With only 2 games to go in Ladbrokes League One, the point secured by Darren Dods' men in a goal-less draw against the visitors from the far south west saw City climb back into the play-off places.

The Glebe Park side were keen to bounce back from the 6-1 mauling at play-off rivals Alloa Athletic 7 days before, but would have to contend with the absence through suspension of both keeper Graeme Smith and pivotal defender Dougie Hill. With injuries already sidelining Chris O’Neil, Gareth Rodger and Euan Smith, fans would have doubtless expected Darren McCormack to slot into central defence – but an injury at training ruled him out too.

The visitors had an early chance to open the scoring but striker Mark McGuigan miscued from close in as they grabbed the early ascendancy. City gradually came more into the game as an attacking threat with Alan Trouten, Andy Jackson and Finn Graham all prominent although efforts on goal were largely from distance and relatively comfortable for Cameron Belford in the Stranraer goal. The most notable attempt was a 20-yard free-kick from Liam Watt which flashed only narrowly wide.

The early stages of the second half saw more yellow cards than goalmouth action. City keeper Paddy O’Neil, clearly playing with growing confidence, pushed a free-kick from City nemesis Willie Gibson round the post and competently grabbed the resultant corner.

City’s best chance of the afternoon followed a quick throw-in on the left which released Andy Jackson, and his cut back found Finn Graham arriving at pace. Sadly for the Glebe Park faithful, his low first time effort drew a magnificent diving block from The Blues’ goalie.

In a game largely devoid of compelling goalmouth action, both sets of players tried hard to control and pass the ball on a fiery surface, albeit with the visitors carrying the slightly greater threat.

Stranraer’s best chance to snatch all 3 points came in the closing stages when defender Morgyn Neill headed over the crossbar from a corner – much to the relief of those of a Brechin City persuasion.

Best for City on the day were skipper Paul McLean and sponsor’s Man-of-the-Match Aron Lynas. Back-up keeper Paddy O’Neil, making only his fourth start in his 3 years with The Club, would be entitled to feel entirely satisfied with his day’s work given his clean sheet and an increasingly assured performance.

With the final scheduled home league game of the season against Albion Rovers coming up next weekend, and a subsequent visit to current bottom club Stenhousemuir, Darren Dods and his team find themselves once again occupying a prized play-off position. Despite sitting in a clutch of 4 clubs all with 46 points - and notably Airdrie having to play both East Fife and Queen’s Park - the ultimate destiny of the season remains very much in City’s own hands.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League One

Airdrieonians 0 Alloa Athletic 1

Kirkpatrick goal secures Wasps victory over Diamonds who drop to fifth

Albion Rovers 0 East Fife 1

Duggan off but Fifers still grab crucial 3 points to sit in third

Livingston 4 Queen's Park 0

Champions Livingston beat the Spider for the first time this season

Peterhead 0 Stenhousemuir 1

Warriors loss would've seen them relegated - but Balmoor victory sees them fight on