Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City are through to the Scottish Championship Play-Off Final after a stunning 4-3 penalties win over Raith Rovers at Starks Park after the sides had tied 3-3 after extra-time.

City will now meet Alloa Athletic who had an identical 4-3 penalties win over Airdrieonians at the Indodrill Stadium. The first leg of the final will take place this coming Wednesday evening at Glebe Park with the second leg on the following Saturday evening at the Indodrill Stadium.

In what was an incredible match at Starks Park, City twice took the lead only to be pegged back on each occasion with the sides level at 2-2 at the end of the ninety minutes and when Ryan Hardie grabbed a third goal for Raith thirteen minutes into the first period of extra-time many thought that City had lost their chance to reach the final...Not a bit of it!!! City buckled down to the task and showed grim determination to push forward and they got their reward with five minutes of extra-time remaining when Liam Watt fired home an absolutely stunning free-kick to send the match to penalties, and in a dramatic shoot-out goalkeeper Graeme Smith showed his mettle and class to save kicks from Ryan Hardie, Bobby Barr and Scott Robertson with Willie Dyer, Alan Trouten and Ally Love scoring for City with City Player Of The Year Andy Jackson stepping up to slot home the final penalty to secure what was a fabulous win for his side.

There wasn't a single weakness in this City side. Every induvidual player gave 150% to achieve what must go down as one of the best results in the Club's history and given the exertions that the players put in the preceding Wednesday night when they were absolutely dead on their feet after a gruelling ninety minutes it was a remarkable performance and result with the City supporters in the McDermid Stand absolutely ecstatic after what had been a roller-coaster of an afternoon.

City manager Darren Dods named the same side that drew 1-1 with Raith at Glebe Park on Wednesday night while Rovers manager John Hughes made one change to his starting line-up with Ryan Hardie replacing Rudi Skacel.

City started well and they had a half-chance in the 14th minute when Liam Watt swung over a good corner from the right which appeared to be heading straight for Andy Jackson but Rovers skipper Jason Thomson got there first to mop up the danger.

Aaron Lynas then became the first player to go into referee Alan Muir's book following a foul on Declan McManus.

Rovers then won a free-kick on the left after Lynas was penalised for a tackle on Kyle Benedictus but McManus's free-kick was too direct and was gathered safely by Graeme Smith. Thomson then delivered a cross from the right which McManus got his head to but he steered it well wide of the target.

Smith then came to City's rescue in the 29th minute when he dived low to thwart and effort from Ryan Hardie and then blocked a drive from Jonny Court and the keeper was called into action again five minutes later when he parried a pile-driver from McManus. Rovers came close again six minutes before the break when they won a free-kick wide on the right with Ross Matthews flighting a dangerous cross into the box for Court whose drive was just over the bar and a couple of minutes later, Danny Handling steered a 25 yard shot just wide of Smith's right-hand post.

Rovers were exerting a fair degree of pressure on the City defence as the half drew to a close with a McManus close-range effort in the final minute of the half blocked by the visitors defence.

Rovers piled on the pressure at the beginning of the second-half but City dramatically grabbed the lead in the 51st minute. Jean Yves M'Voto made a complete hash of a pass-back to keeper Conor Brennan and Ross Caldwell quickly intercepted to slot the ball into the bottom corner of the net with the keeper helpless.

Raith pushed hard to get back into the game and in the 64th minute they made a triple substitution to try and swing the balance in their favour with Bobby Barr, Jordan Thompson and Scott Robertson replacing, Benedictus, Matthews and Court and this move had an immediate impact with the home side drawing level within a minute. They won a free-kick wide on the left and McManus flighted in a perfect kick to M'Voto who made amends for his earlier mistake to power a header past Smith.

City then had a chance to regain the advantage when Jackson raced clear on the left before moving into the box but he steered his shot just inches past Brennan's left-hand post.

Raith then hit back with Smith having to look sharp to keep out a cross from McManus after 79 minutes and a minute later M'Voto fired wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.

However, just as Rovers were looking as if they might make the breakthrough, City shocked them with another goal in the 84th minute. A long ball from defence was misjudged by M'Voto and substitute Alan Trouten timed his run perfectly to slot a drive past the despairing arms of Brennan.

City looked as if they were heading for a sensational victory but with three minutes of added time on the clock, Rovers equalised for the second time with McManus finishing off a good move to blast the ball past Smith.

City had the first chance of extra-time when Liam Watt collected the ball on the left touchline and cut inside before unleashing a tremendous right-foot drive which went just a couple of inches too high.

However, Rovers hit back straight away and they grabbed the lead for the first time in the 103rd minute. Iain Davidson sent a superb pass behind the City defence for Ryan Hardie who took a couple of steps before unleashing a tremendous left-foot drive which left Smith helpless.

Rovers started the second period of extra-time on the defensive with former City winger Barr firing in a shot just over the bar in the 109th minute.

However, this roller-coaster of a match was far from over and City grabbed a sensational equaliser four minutes later. They won a free-kick at the edge of the box after Trouten had been impeded and Watt stepped up blast a wonderful free-kick which nestled into the top corner of the net.

With the sides level at 3-3 at the full-time whistle the tie went to penalty kicks with both sides kicking into the goal just in front of the City supporters and with Handling, Jordan Thompson and McManus scoring for the hosts and 'Buzz' showing his class to bring off fantastic saves from Hardie, Bobby Barr and Scott Robertson it was fittingly left to City's Player of the Year, Andy Jackson to step up to take the final penalty after Willie Dyer, Alan Trouten and Ally Love had all converted and 'Jacko' made no mistake from the spot to send City into the final to the sheer delight and joy of the City supporters gathered behind the goal.

Other Results - Scottish Championship Play-Off Semi-Final (Second Leg)

Alloa Athletic 1 Airdrieonians 0

Wasps Go Through To Final 4-3 On Penalties