SKIPPER, Darren Smith, has been hailed as "the best part-time footballer in Scotland" by his manager, following his starring role in Brechin City's 2-1 win over an Airdrie United side who had been undefeated since going down 4-2 at Glebe Park earlier in the season.

Michael O'Neill feels that the contribution being made by his captain is such that he fully deserves the title and he is quick to point out why.

"If you look at the teams above us in the second division, all of them apart from Peterhead are full-time and I think Darren works as hard as anyone at his game. He was getting some stick from some of his team mates earlier in the season about his finishing, but in the last couple of games, he has come up with the best possible answer.

"Darren was immense in the middle for us on Saturday. He scored one goal, was unlucky not to score another and generally showed the sort of effort and application that his team mates are following by example.

"I was absoloutely delighted with the performance and I felt the result was the least we warranted. Craig Nelson was unfortunate not to keep a clean sheet again, but we had no failures and to go down there and take the game to Airdrie for long periods and dictate the game in the manner we did was very pleasing.

"I thought John Ward and Davie White once again did a great job in the centre of defence for us and the gave us the kind of solidity that you need to go and help get a result. I think both these players also know that big Scott Walker is desperate to get back in the side and the competition is keeping them on their toes.

"Ian Diack has a wee problem with a hernia and he tired a bit on Saturday. But once again he and Michael Paton linked up very well. Paton is doing a tremendous job for us, I would have loved to see him stick his chance away, because that would do wonders for his confidence, but his effort on behalf of the team and running off the ball were magnificent.

"David Murie came back in as we have an injury problem with Richard Walker and he did really well in his first game back. But the result once again proves that last week's results over Raith wasn't a one-week wonder.

"But it doesn't matter whether it's Darren Smith or anyone else, you or only as good as your last performance and we have to ensure that high standards we have set in the last few weeks are maintained at Ayr on Saturday."

The return trip to Somerset Park also gives Brechin's players an opportunity to gain some revenge. Earlier in the season at the 'hame o' Honest Men', Brechin played their hosts off the park but were defeated 2-1.

"We have to keep focussing on results and performances, hopefully we can get a couple of players back from injury soon and that increases the competition once again. It's all about keep the run going for as long as we possibly can".