Match Report - By John Hoey

Message starred Sunday, 17 February 2013, 11:26 Arbroath 0 Brechin City 1

An Alan Trouten goal three minutes from time clinched victory for Brechin in the local derby against Angus neighbours at Gayfield this afternoon.

This was a fantastic result for City given the fact that they haven't played any competitive football over the last month and it cements their place in third position in the Irn Bru Second Division table, three points ahead of the Lichties who have played three games more.

City had the better of the first-half exchanges but the hosts upped their game after the break and put the City defence under some sustained pressure, although clear-cut chances were few and far between. However, City weathered the storm and began to exert more pressure themselves in the last fifteen minutes or so and they got their reward when Trouten lobbed home the winner three minutes from time.

Johnny Brown was still feeling the effects of an ankle injury and was not in the squad at Gayfield along with midfielder Craig Molloy who will be sidelined until the beginning of next season.

City lined up with Michael Andrews in goal and with Gerry McGluachlan and Paul McLean in the full-back positions. Graham Hay and Ewan Moyes were in their usual central defensive positions with a midfield of Alan Trouten, Gary Fusco, Johnny Stewart and David McKenna. Andy Jackson sat just behind main striker Derek Carcary.

City had them first opportunity after just five minutes when a McKenna free-kick was cleared by the Arbroath defence into the path of Trouten but his shot was blocked.

The Lichties had a chance three minutes later when a Mark Baxter cross from the right was headed just last Andrew's left-hand post by Graham Bayne and the striker came close again five minutes later when he headed a Stevn Doris cross just wide of the target.

City though were dominating possession and another McKenna free-kick from the left just eluded Trouten after 18 minutes.

McKenna had an opportunity himself ten minutes before half-time when he collected a pass from Carcary and pushed forward into the Arbroath box but his shot was just over the bar.

The hosts had the final chance of the half with three minutes remaining when a Doris shot from the edge of the penalty-area was deflected for a corner.

No side made at changes for the second-half and it was City who had the first chance in the 58th minute when Carcary collected a pass from Trouten and fired in a shot which just missed the target.

The Lichties hit back and Doris turned McGlauchlan at the edge of the penalty-box three minutes later and tried a shot, but it lacked power and Andrews saved easily.

Paul McLean was next to have a go for City seconds later when he pushed forward down the left and fired in a right-foot shot but it went well over the bar.

City had a narrow escape just three minutes later when Euan Smith was clean through on goal but Andrews was quick off his line to narrow the angle and deflected the midfielder's shot for a corner.

A Doris shot from the edge of the box was well held by Andrews in the 76th minute and the keeper did well again with six minutes left when he held a chip from Lichties player-boss Paul Sheerin.

The game looked to be heading for 0-0 draw but City stunned their hosts with a dramatic winner three minutes from time.

A Gary Fusco pass found Alan Trouten in the box and the midfielder kept his composure to coolly lob the ball over Scott Morrison in the Arbroath goal.

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