Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City need just one point from next Saturday's match at Stenhousemuir to clinch a place in the play-offs following their 1-0 victory over Albion Rovers at Glebe Park.

The vital goal came just one minute into the second-half when skipper Paul McLean rose above the visitors defence to head home an Ally Love corner.

The victory was no more than City deserved. Minus first team regulars Graeme Smith. Dougie Hill and Finn Graham, the players who came in showed great commitment and determination over the course of the ninety minutes and if they can maintain the same standards next Saturday in what will be a vital match for both teams, they can be optimistic of a positive outcome.

City showed their intentions within the first forty seconds when Aaron Lynas fired in a shot from 30 yards which just went past and shorty afterwards, Alan Trouten collected a pass from Willie Dyer before feeding Eliot Ford wide in the right with the midfielder taking a couple of steps before driving in a shot which just squirmed past the post.

However, City had a major let-off in the 12th minute when Ryan Wallace delivered a corner from the left straight to the feet of the unmarked Paul Willis who had the goal at his mercy, but thankfully from City's point of view, the striker hurried his shot when a bit more composure was called for, volleying well over the bar.

City had a good opportunity seven minutes later when Ford made ground on the right and crossed across the face of the goal for Trouten who looked set to score but a last-gasp block from Mick Dunlop saved the day for Rovers.

The visitors threatened again just on the half-hour mark when a good ball was played out in the left to Theo Archibald who beat Lynas and made a bee-line for goal before firing in a drive which was deflected for a corner by Dyer.

However, the last chance of the half came City's way with a minute remaining when Ford took a quick corner from the right, passing to Liam Watt who delivered a good cross into the box for Ally Love who glanced a header just past the near post.

City started the second-half in the same determined fashion with which they had begun the opening 45 minutes and they scored what would prove to be the winner within the first minute. They won a corner in the right, and Love flighted in a perfect cross straight to the head of captain McLean who powered a header well beyond the reach of Rovers keeper Ross Stewart.

The hard working Andy Jackson then made room for himself deep in the visitors penalty-box but was crowded out just as he was preparing to shoot.

Paddy O'Neil in the City goal who had had very little to then came to his side's rescue when he dived low to his right to keep out a 25 yard pile-driver from Ross Davidson.

Play then swung from end to end with neither side creating anything clear-cut in front of goal but with ten minutes remaining, Jackson fired a drive just over the bar, with Mick Dunlop following suit for Rovers eight minutes later, and deep into injury-time Jackson, who would deservedly pick up the Player Of The Year award at the conclusion of the match showed his defensive attributes when he cleared an Archibald shot off the line.

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