Brechin City got their pre-season preparations underway with a very solid performance on Dunfermline's in the news East End park plastic pitch this evening.

Ian Campbell included new signings Davie Craig and Craig McEwan on the bench. However, Darren Smith and Gary Bollan were not in the 16 and may have to wait until Thursday night's game against Forfar Athletic at Glebe Park to make their debuts.

While City created few clear-cut scoring opportunities, they were very professional in the way they defended and the way they chased and harried Dunfermline in the midfield.

City's first real opportunity came in the 16th minute, when Stuart Callaghan was fouled 25 yards out. The former Hearts man took the free-kick himself, but hit it straight at the wall.

Callaghan was prominent again in City's probing forward and once again he attempted to test new Pars goalkeeper, Bryn Halliwell from distance, but his effort flew over the bar.

Craig Nelson was forced into his first real save of the game in the 31st minute he did well to hold Scott Morrison's header after Noel Hunt had beaten the offside trap.

The Pars found it hard to break City doiwn throughout the first half. But the closest they weant was a Noel Hunt effort, which was hooked off the line by Paul Deas.

Dunfermline started the second period well forcing a series of corners, but these were dealt with well by the excellent City defence in which Scott Walker and David White were prominent throughout.

Craig Nelson made one of a couple of excellent second half saves when he blocked Simon Donnelly's header.

Graham Gibson came on for Charlie King after 56 minutes and was involved immediately as he challenged Skerla for a high ball, which Halliwell was forced to clear.

In the 65th minute, City introduced Craig McEwan and Davie Craig for Davire White and Stevie Hamilton. White in particular had put in a tremendous shift.

This was followed five minutes later with the introduction of Paul Ritchie, Ally Mitchell and Craig Winter for Steve Ferguson, Grant Johnson and Kevin Byers.

McEwan showed great poise not long after coming on when he chased Derek Young back into the penalty area and timed his tackle to perfection as the former Don was lining up a pop at goal.

At the other end, Paul Ritchie fired wide of the far post, after Graham Gibson had teed him up.

McEwan was in the thick of things again right at the death when he hooked Simon Donnelly's 89th minute effort clear.

City's defensive work merited the praise that came from the majority of the home fans at the end of 90 minutes. Brechin's fitness looked good for their first outing and the manager will be keen to build on this in the remaining pre-season games.

There is a chance that Smith, Bollan, Hillcoat, McEwan and Craig could all get starting places when Forfar Athletic visit Glebe Park on Thursday evening. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

Manager Ian Campbell said of tonight's performance: "I thought our shape and organisation wer very good throughout. It was a very worthwhile excercise from our point of view.

"We operated a certain system and game plan that will be important to us in the months ahead. Above all I thought we competed well and had a good swork ethic and organisation about us all night and we must look to build on the many positive aspects of tonight's performance."