Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City finally ended their Forfar Athletic hoodoo with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over the Loons at Glebe Park.

City haven't beaten their near neighbours for five years, but a second-half Paul McManus double cancelled out a first-half goal from ex City striker Chris Templeman to wrap up the points for the hosts who move one place up the Second Division table to fifth, on the same points as fourth placed Airdrie United and just four points behind third-placed Stenhousemuir.

City fielded the same team that defeated Albion Rovers by 1-0 on Boxing Day and there was a welcome return to the squad for Gerry McGlauchlan, who found a place on the bench.

The first ten minutes of the match were fairly evenly balanced with neither side creating anything really positive but the first chance fell to the visitors after 13 minutes when a Templeman shot from the edge of the box was saved by Craig Nelson.

City suffered real blow on the half-hour mark when Scot Buist pulled a hamstring and had to leave the field to be replaced by McGlauchlan who got a great cheer from the home support after his lengthy absence through injury.

Forfar created a further opportunity in the 34th minute when a good through ball from Joe Shaughnessy found Templeman but Nelson tipped his shot round the post.

City's first chance came a couple of minutes later when an angular drive from McManus from just outside the box was deflected for a corner.

It was the Loons though who made the vital break-through a couple of minutes later with the opening goal.

The ball was played wide on the right to Ross Campbell who did well to control it before delivering a great cross into the box for Templeman who powered a header beyond Nelson.

Campbell himself, had an opportunity five minutes before the break when Greg Ross and Dale Hilson combined well to set up the opening but his shot was deflected for a corner.

City missed a glorious opportunity to draw level on the stroke of half-time when a good cross from Paul McLean found McManus but he steered his header wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.

City started the second-half in a positive vein and a Bryan Hodge drive from the edge of the box went just past the post three minutes into the re-start.

The equaliser though, came just five minutes later.

David McKenna raced clear on the left and sent over a great cross into the box for McManus who more than made up for his earlier miss by thumping home a first-time volley which gave Greg Paterson no chance.

City now had the bit between their teeth and they scored again eight minutes later.

McKenna picked up the ball in the City half and ran forward before slipping through a great ball to McManus who bored in on goal before slotting the ball into the far corner of the net.

City wete desperately unlucky not to make it 3-1 fuve minutes later when a Jim Lister shot from a McLean pass came back off the post.

Forfar now began to pick up the pace and although they had a lot of possession they never really threatened.

Templeman had a header saved by Nelson with ten minutes remaining, but it was City who had the final chance with five minutes to go when a Lister header from a Hodge corner was well saved by Paterson.

Other Results - Irn Bru 2nd Division

Airdrie United 1 Albion Rovers 0

Important Win for Diamonds

Cowdenbeath 4 East Fife 0

Leaders Romp Home in Fife Derby

Dumbarton 3 Arbroath 2

Sons Stun Red Lichties

Stirling Albion 3 Stenhousemuir 1

Great Victory for Binos