Match Report - By Steven Mew

There was derby day dismay for City at Links Park yesterday afternoon as Montrose recorded their first win against Brechin for over 18 years.

Darren Dods unsurprisingly went with the same 11 that defeated East Fife last Saturday with Ryan McGeever captaining the side in the absence of Paul McLean.

The game got off to a nightmare start for City as the Gable Endies went ahead with just 4 minutes on the clock. Ross Campbell drilled a low cross into the box for EUAN HENDERSON and although the Hearts loanee hit the bar with his initial effort, he was able to force the ball over the line at the second attempt.

Things went from bad to worse on the quarter hour mark when referee Gavin Duncan awarded Montrose a penalty after Euan Smith had brought down Euan Henderson in the box. ROSS CAMPBELL stepped up to take the spot kick and he confidently dispatched the ball into the corner, sending Brennan the wrong way.

A couple of half chances came City's way as they looked to get themselves back into the game. Sean Burns' effort from range was well wide whilst Dougie Hill headed over from Kalvin Orsi's delivery.

Ten minutes before the break City grabbed a lifeline as they pulled a goal back. An inch perfect cross from Andy Jackson was met by BORIS MELINGUI who directed a fine header into the corner of the net.

City really should have been level five minutes later as they spurned a glorious chance. Melingui did well to hold the ball up in the box before playing in Andy Jackson - he laid the ball off for Jordan Sinclair who somehow fired wide of the target from around 12 yards out. It was one of those chances you'd have put your mortgage on 'Sinky' bursting the net.

On the stroke of half time, the home side nearly restored their two goal advantage. Euan Henderson evaded a couple of challenges before feeding fellow loanee Christian Antoniazzi but Brennan was equal to his effort as he palmed away for a corner.

Into the second period, a cross from Orsi found Melingui in the box but his shot on the bounce was saved comfortably by Fleming. Several minutes later, Melingui threatened again when he headed over from a Tapping corner.

City kept up the pressure when Burns set up Jackson but his shot was gathered by Fleming in the Montrose goal.

Goalscoring opportunities for the home side in the second half were few and far between however Conor Brennan made an excellent save with his feet to deny substitute Martin Rennie. Seven minutes later, Brennan then pushed away a shot from Terry Masson before the ball was cleared to safety.

In the final quarter of an hour City piled bodies forward in search of an equaliser, including Dougie Hill and Ryan McGeever as makeshift strikers. McGeever tried his luck with a left footed volley however he didn't get enough on it and the ball went harmlessly wide. Melingui then had a shot which was gathered easily by Fleming.

Deep into stoppage time, the ball again fell for McGeever in a promising position but his lobbed effort just went past the post.

City were unable to make the pressure count and referee Gavin Duncan called time on a hugely frustrating day for Brechin. Next up for City is the visit of Dumbarton at Glebe Park next Saturday.

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