Match Report - By John Hoey

Brechin City 3 Morton 1

Brechin City moved up to fourth place in the Scottish League One table after an excellent 3-1 victory over Morton at Glebe Park.

Alan Trouten set his team on the victory trail after just eleven minutes when he converted from the penalty-spot after Sean Crighton had handled a Bobby Barr cross in the box and Robert Thomson doubled City's lead just after the half-hour when he swept the ball home from close-range after a Jamie Masson free-kick had been drilled back across the face of the goal by Colin Hamilton.

Kyle McAusland made it a dream home debut when he slotted home goal number three in the 62nd minute and although Morton pulled a goal back through Thomas O'Ware seven minutes later, City held on for what was in the end, a comfortable win, despite some late pressure from the visitors.

Manager Ray McKinnon made a couple of changes from the team that lost 3-1 at Forfar the previous Saturday with Kyle McAusland coming in for Gary Fusco and Robert Thomson replacing Andy Jackson up front.

City started well with a Trouten shot after five minutes deflected for a corner but the visitors hit back and Robbie Crawford also had a drive deflected for a corner just thee minutes later.

However, City remained on the offensive and they grabbed the lead from the penalty-spot in the 11th minute.

A good pass from McAusland sent Bobby Barr away on the left and when his cross came into the box it appeared to be handled by Sean Crighton. The Morton defender was adamant that the ball had struck him on the chest, but referee Barry Cook waved his protests away and pointed to the spot with 'Trouts' coolly converting.

Trouten again posed danger for the visitors a couple of minutes later when he twisted and weaved his way into the Morton box only to see his final shot deflected for a corner.

City produced another great move four minutes later when a great pass from Jamie Masson created an opening for McAusland, with the big midfielder firing a shot just inches over the bar.

City weren't having it entirely their own way though with a Declan McManus long-range effort going over the bar after twenty minutes and Robbie Crawford firing over another long-range drive seconds later. However, the visitors came much closer in the 25th minute when Jamie McCluskey turned Hamilton on the right touchline and delivered a cross into the box for Andrew Barrowman whose first-time volley was well held by Graeme Smith.

City hit back and pushed forward in search of another goal and it arrived in the 33rd minute.

The home side won a free-kick midway into the Morton half and Masson stepped up to deliver a great cross to the far side of the box where it was met by Hamilton who drilled the ball back across the face of the goal for Thomson who blasted the ball high into the roof of the net.

Morton piled pressure on the City goal in the opening minutes of the second-half with Paul McLean having to look sharp to clear the ball off the line in the 47th minute. However, City weathered the early storm and hit back with a great move which almost brought a goal five minute later. Great play from Barr on the left touchline saw him force his way into the Morton box and lay the ball off for Masson who neatly turned his man before sending a right-foot drive just inches last the target.

City continued to push forward and they got their reward with another goal ten minutes later.

A great pass from McLean sent Barr away on the left and he dribbled his way into the penalty area before sending an inch-perfect pass to McAusland who coolly picked his spot in the net to make it a dream home debut and 3-0 for City.

City were now on full throttle in search of another goal and they were desperately unlucky just a minute later when Barr crossed into the box for Thomson whose header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Nicolas Caroux in the Morton goal.

The host were shocked though six minutes later when the visitors pulled a goal back.

Riki Lamie picked up the ball on the right and sent a pass through to O'Ware who slotted the ball past Smith.

The visitors then laid siege to the City goal in the final minutes but the home defence stood firm and City held on for a comfortable victory.

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