Match Report - By John Hoey

Stenhousemuir 2 Brechin City 2

Brechin City and Stenhousuemuir shared the spoils after an evenly balanced encounter at OchilviewPark.

The result lifted City from bottom spot in the Ladbrokes League One table to ninth position and although a draw was perhaps a fair result at the end of the day, both managers would have been disappointed not to have taken full points.

There was no doubt that the Warriors had the better of the opening 45 minutes with City having an excellent chance to grab the lead from the penalty spot in the 19th minute, but unfortunately Willie Dyer's spot-kick was saved by Stenny keeper Jamie Barclay.

However, City fought back after the break and two goals within three minutes from Andy Jackson and David Weatherston looked to have them heading for their third successive victory. However a goal right at the death from Carlos Mazana-Martinez earned the hosts a share of the spoils.

City manager Darren Dods, not surprisingly, elected to play the same side that had achieved back to back victories against Peterhead and Cowdenbeath.

The Warriors went on the offensive straight from the kick-off and Willie Dyer was forced to concede a corner after just six minutes.

The hosts threatened again just a couple of minutes when good inter-linking play between Stephen Stirling andp Mazana-Martinez ended with the latter shooting well wide from the edge of the City box.

City's first attack of the game after ten minutes almost brought the opening goal. Jonathan Tiffoney picked up a loose ball deep in the Stenny half and played it wide to Dene Shields on the right touchline. Dene then moved quickly to the bye-line before delivering a good cross into the home penalty-box for Robert Thomson who headed narrowly past the post.

The hosts hit back and a short spell of home pressure ended with a Cook shot being blocked by the City defence before being cleared.

City though should have taken the lead after nineteen minutes when they were awarded penalty.

Gary Fusco played a good ball through to Thomson whose pace took him beyond the home defence and as he was on the post of rounding keeper Barclay, he was brought down in the box by the Stenny number one. Despite the protests of the home goalkeeper there was no doubt that it was a clear penalty. Willie Dyer stepped up to take the kick but unfortunately aimed to close to the keeper who blocked the kick before the ball was cleared away by the home defence.

The visitors didn't let this penalty miss get them down and they pushed forward again in search of the opening goal with a Thomson cross from the right being deflected for a corner by the Stenny defence.

One had the feeling though that the penalty miss could prove costly and so it proved in the 33rd minute when the hosts grabbed the opening goal..

Former City defender Jamie McCormack played a ball down the right touchline for Mazana-Martinez who then played a short pass to Mark Gilhaney who swung a dangerous ball into the City box for ALAN COOK who had ran into the box on the blind side of the City back-four and the former Arbroath winger wasted no time in drilling a crisp left-foot volley well beyond the reach of Graeme Smith in the City goal.

City not back straight away and a David Bates header from a Dyer corner was headed off the line by the home defence.

Play then swung from end to end with Paul McLean blasting a shot over the bar three minutes before the break with Stephen Stirling doing likewise for Stenny a minute later.

The last opportunity of the half came the visitors way with just a minute remaining when Dene Shields picked up the ball on the left and cut inside before firing in a left-foot drive which Barclay held easily.

City started the second-half with player/boss Dods being replaced by Ross Perry and the visitors went straight into the offensive.

Paul McLean did really well to make ground on the right before pushing forward into the home penalty area, but unfortunately his final shot was wide of the target.

The hosts then had a couple of chances with Stuart Malcolm heading a Mark Gilhaney cross well wide of the target and in the 68th minute, the former Forfar defender had another chance when he directed a header from a Stirling free-kick straight at Smith.

However, City came right back and grabbed the equaliser three minutes later.

McLean delivered a good pass to the edge of the Stenny box for Shields who back-headed the ball perfectly into the path of ANDY JACKSON who slotted the ball past Barclay into the bottom corner of the net.

This goal spurred City on and they dramatically grabbed the lead just three minutes later after a short period of sustained pressure. Both Jackson and Craig Molloy had shots blocked by the home defence before the ball was cleared as far as Bates just within his own half. The young defender then sent a cross right into the heart of the Stenny box which was headed by Thomson back into the path of City sub DAVID WEATHERSTON who had replaced Jonathan Tiffoney just a quarter of an hour earlier and the ex Alloa midfielder cracked a fierce drive past Barclay.

The hosts then hit back with Jon McShane heading a Gilhaney cross from the right over the bar from good position.

Despite some late home pressure, it looked as if City would be able to hold out for their third victory on the trot but unfortunately the hosts grabbed the equaliser right at the death.

Gilhaney played a short pass to Cook direct from a corner and he then swung a great ball to the edge of the box for CARLOS MAZANA-MARTINEZ whose superb first-time right foot volley sailed past Smith.

Other Results - Ladbrokes League One

Airdrieonians 0 Stranraer 1

One Goal Does It For Blues At Airdrie

Ayr United 5 Cowdenbeath 0

Honest Men Go Nap Against Blue Brazil

Dunfermline Athletic 3 Albion Rovers 0

Comfortable Home Win For Pars

Peterhead 2 Forfar Athletic 2

Honours Shared At Balmoor Stadium