City started their pre-season preparations with a narrow defeat against Championship side Dundee in the stifling heat at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

A recent aerial photo of the Glebe had gone viral online over the last couple of days and the 1025 supporters in attendance could see precisely why with the surface looking magnificent in the sunshine.

Barry Smith was missing two experienced players in Dougie Hill and Paul McManus, but City fans got their first glimpse of 5 new signings in the shape of Chris McLaughlin, Luke Watt, Sean McIntosh, Fionn McLeod Kay and Ryan McCord in a squad packed with trialists.

The visitors started brightly and had much of the possession throughout the first half. Josh Todd came close in the opening couple of minutes when his effort was deflected just wide of the post.

With Chris McLaughlin impressing in an unfamiliar role at centre half, City were defending well but struggled to create many openings against their full time opponents. However, Luke Watt threatened when he sidestepped a couple of challenges before his long range effort dipped just inches over the crossbar.

The Dark Blues stepped up a gear and City's trialist keeper did his chances no harm with a string of fine saves. He tipped Jordan McGhee's goalbound free kick onto the inside of the post before denying Josh Meekings shortly after.

The deadlock was finally broken just a few minutes from the interval. DECLAN MCDAID, who signed for the club from Ayr United in the summer, cut inside from the left before unleashing an unstoppable curling effort into the far corner to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Ryan McCord and Luke Watt made way for trialists at half time whilst the visitors made seven changes to their side.

Despite the number of changes, the Dee continued their dominance however City grabbed an equaliser shortly before the hour mark. A cross floated in to the back post was headed back across goal by Sean McIntosh for TRIALIST NO. 14 who had the easy task of nodding home from a yard out.

The visitors got themselves back in front nine minutes later. Youngster Lyall Cameron collected a pass on the edge of the box, made some space for himself before placing a shot which sneaked into the far corner.

Dundee were perhaps unfortunate not to add to their tally with Curran's effort being blocked off the line and the trialist keeper making another save to deny Cunningham.

Overall, a a very good workout for a City side with a very unfamiliar look to it. The next pre-season friendly for City is against Dundee United at Glebe Park on Friday with a 7:45pm kick off.

Brechin City: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Watt, McLaughlin, Trialist, Trialist, McIntosh, Trialist, McCord, Trialist.

Subs: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, O'Neil.

Goals: Trialist (58)

Dundee: Hamilton, McGhee, Meekings, Todd, Byrne, Nelson, McDaid, Murphy, Marshall, Mulligan, Fisher.

Subs: Ferrie, Kerr, McGowan, Curran, Robertson, Anderson, Cameron, Strachan, Cunningham, Rodger, Moore.

Goals McDaid (42), Cameron (67)

Attendance: 1025

Referee: Graham Beaton