City will be hoping to build on an improved second half performance last weekend as Annan Athletic make the long journey north to Glebe Park tomorrow afternoon.

Although the records showed a fifth consecutive defeat for City, they can take heart from an improved showing against Stenhousemuir and could perhaps consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken a point.

Annan Athletic meanwhile currently sit 7th in League 2 - four points above City. They go into the match coming off the back of consecutive defeats against Edinburgh and Elgin City.

TEAM NEWS
Jonathan Page and Sean McIntosh continue to miss out for City and both are currently on a strengthening programme for their respective injuries. Benjamin Luissint will also be unavailable after sustaining a hamstring injury in training during the week. The Manager is hopeful to have experienced striker Jimmy Scott back available after missing the last two matches with a calf problem.

MANAGERS COMMENTS
Looking back at the Stenhousemuir game last weekend, Player/Manager Michael Paton said, "It was two lapses of concentration that let us down on Saturday. We switched off at a set piece for the first goal and Paddy (O'Neil) got caught underneath it but he put his hand up and took responsibility. The second goal comes from a quick free kick - this is something that our young players need to learn from such as stepping over the ball at a free kick.

"Apart from the two goals I felt we matched them in the first half and in the second half I thought we controlled the majority of it. I could see the boys grow into the game and start to believe in the shape and system that we've been working on - it was really encouraging towards the end of the game.

"You can see the belief and confidence is starting to return - in recent matches we would have gone 3 or 4 down but the boys came out in the second half with a point to prove. They took the game by the scruff of the neck. I thought we deserved something from the game and it was the best we've played since the win over Albion Rovers.

"The goal we created had 7 or 8 players involved in it - we worked it down the left hand side then back across the park to the right and finished up with a good goal."

It could easily have been a point for City with defender Scott Reekie missing a guilt-edged chance with just minutes remaining. Michael commented, "When we work on crossing or shooting Scotty (Reekie) is normally the one that puts those away - he's technically very good so I know he'll be really disappointed because he does finish them in training."

Michael and Assistant Gerry McCabe cast their eyes over two trialists who both started on Saturday. He said, "We're missing a few players at the moment and a couple more are working their way back to full fitness. It's a good opportunity to freshen it up a bit with a couple of new players that bring different options to the team. The trialist midfielder was making his first senior start and got himself a goal. Meanwhile, we asked the big trialist striker to act as a target man and use his physique. It was a tough job that we asked him to do but in the second half when we started to stretch them, he started to come more into the game.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's league fixture against Annan Athletic, Paton said "We're taking one game at a time at the moment and we are focussing solely on ourselves. If the boys take the second half performance from last week into tomorrow's match then it will give ourselves a right good chance of getting something from the game. It's really important we keep in touch with other teams in the table so it's a big game for us and we're looking forward to the challenge."

MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow's match referee is Matthew MacDermid. He will be assisted by Colin Drummond and Harry Bruce.

LIVE MATCH STREAM
Hedge TV will be providing a live stream of tomorrow's match at Glebe Park. The stream will go live at 2:45pm and we recommend that users sign in/register and view the stream as early as possible.

Season ticket holders will gain access to the stream with their season pass. Non-season ticket holders can purchase pay-per-view access for £10. To register/purchase the stream, visit HEDGE TV LIVE

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PREVIOUS MEETING
Annan Athletic 5-2 Brechin City - 12 November 2019
City will be looking for a vast improvement from the last meeting between the sides as Annan ran out comfortable winners at Galabank in November last year. Ross Crawford gave City an ideal start as he headed the opener after just 2 minutes, before goals from Nathan Flanagan and Scott McLean had the hosts in front on 12 minutes. Crawford brought City back level, only for McLean to put the Galabankies ahead again two minutes later.

City's task would be made even more difficult on the stroke of half time as Christopher McLaughlin was shown a red card for foul and abusive language towards a match official. Annan took full advantage and put the game to bed in the second half, with Scott Reekie putting the ball in his own net before Lewis McLear rounded off the scoring 15 minutes from time.

SPONSORSHIP
Our matchball sponsor tomorrow is John Milne - thank you for support!