BRECHIN City remain the only team in Scotland with an unbeaten league record so far this season, after a dogged and hard-working display saw them pick up another three precious points to start the second quarter of the season in a similar manner to that in which they ended the first. In winning at Stirling, they also became this first side this season to defeat the Albion on their own patch.

Not surprisingly, Michael O'Neill, didn't make any changes to the side that had previously defeated Alloa, before the international break, with skipper, Darren Smith, once again having to make do with a place on the bench.

City started the game brightly and Twigg won his side a free-kick 25 yards out. Neil Janczyk's free kick was blocked by the home wall.
Brechin went even closer with a lovely passing move down the right flank. Gary Twigg was then a toe length away from connecting with a tantalising Kevin Byers cross as the league leaders began to get on top.
Brechin's football and Paton and Twigg in particular had clearly unsettled the home defence early on. Former Falkirk defender, Andy Lawrie let the ball bounce in front of him and Gary Twigg nipped in to cross for Michael Paton whose point blank effort was somehow deflected round the post for a corner by Albion goalkeeper, Myles Hogarth. City should have been two goals clear by this stage

Gary Twigg was booked for some verbals with the assistant referee, whose decision-making left a little to be desired at times. City had another great opportunity when Richard Walker's far post cross into the Albion box was met by on-loan Aberdeen striker Michael Paton who glanced a header straight at Myles Hogarth.
Gary Twigg gave City a thoroughly deserved half-time lead when he calmly swept the ball home with his trusty left peg under the arm of the outstretched Hogarth to net his sixth goal of the season, five minutes before the break. However, City fans must have wondered why there team wasn't home and dry by this stage.

Four Minutes into the second half, Craig Nelson was called on to make his first real save of the game. A cross from Nathan Taggart picked out Martin Grehan who teed up John O'Neill for an overhead kick which was tipped over by the veteran goalkeeper.

However, Brechin produced a stunning second goal, with Michael Paton cleverly holding the ball up on the left flank and finding Charlie King. His cross to the edge of the penalty area was perfect for Kevin Byers, who slammed home a tremendous effort from 20 yards.

Stirling manager Allan Moore responded to the loss of a second goal by replacing Nathan Taggart with Chris Hamilton. Just three minutes after going two nil up, Albion threw themselves a lifeline. Craig Molloy held the ball up on the left hand side of the City penalty area before he played in Martin Grehan who slammed the ball home from 15 yards past an exposed Craig Nelson.

While Albion had plenty of possession from this point on, it was City who continued to carve out the best chances. Kevin Byers showed great awareness as he cut in from the left, before attempting to cleverly lob Hogarth. His shot landing on top of the net.

Charlie King was replaced by Darren Smith on the hour mark. Stirling were now looking to get at the City defence and John O'Neill did well to work some space but his parting effort was lobbed straight into the arms of Craig Nelson. A shot from the edge of the box by Craig Molloy also failed to test the keeper as the home side stepped up the pressure in their attempts to get back on terms.

City had another opportunity when the referee bizarrely got in the way of Albion's Molloy and the ball broke to Twigg on the edge of the box. But Hogarth saved his low drive.

City had a fortunate escape when sub Chris Hamilton set up Ian Harty, who, in turn, passed to Martin Grehan whose effort from four yards was blocked by Nelson. Ian Nimmo, who had an excellent second half, had a shot which trundled well wide. Brechin introduced Adam Nelson for Neil Janczyk with 13 minutes remaining.

A punt into the box caught Nelson off guard, but with the goal at his mercy Martin Grehan could only guide a point blank header over the bar from point-blank range.

Lawrie became the first Stirling player to be cautioned for tripping Darren Smith. Smith then had a great run, as he raced away from his marker to the edge of the box, but sliced his shot a little and Hogarth made a comfortable save.

City believed they had made it 3-1, after Hogarth made a real mess of a clearance and passed the ball straight to Gary Twigg, who rounded him to net. Twigg was denied his second and his side's third by the raised flag of the far side linesman.

Calum Smith joined Michael Paton for the last few minutes of the game, with Twigg receiving a warm farewell from the travelling City supporters as he left the field. Despite the referee finding four minutes of injury time in a game where neither trainer was on the park, City held on for what was a deserved victory. Brechin could have won by a bigger margin, which made some second half moments more nervy than they had to be, but the three points were nevertheless welcome.

Man of the Match was Jon Seeley, Ian Nimmo, Michael Paton and Gary Twigg all excelled. The young central defender seems to improve with every game.

Ian Nimmo excelled with his passing and movement in the second period and the two strikers underlined why Brechin retain top spot in the division with their work rate and running off the ball.