Having just returned from pre-season training camp in Austria, a strong Hibs side provided the opposition for City last night in the first pre-season friendly.

John Collins brought most first team players to Glebe Park, with only Steven Fletcher, who is still in Canada, and Steven Whittaker (injured), being the only major absentees.

With David White still on holiday and John Ward not featuring, City gaffer Michael O'Neill handed a start to 18 year old Chris Hughes, who impressed with Scott Walker in the centre of defence.

The manager ran the rule over a few trialists whilst handing starts to new boys Barry Callaghan, Gary Fusco and Martin Johnston.

Also making his debut in the dugout was assistant manager Kevin McAllister, ironically up against his former club

With City sporting the new playing kit in the glorious summer sunshine, the visitors kicked off and came close to taking the lead in the opening seconds when new boy Clayton Donaldson side stepped his marker before firing the ball towards the far corner, but Nelson did well to tip the ball round the post.

Donaldson continued to cause problems for the Brechin defence as he latched onto a high ball from Beuzelin and only had the keeper to beat before trialist Gardiner saved the day with a perfect tackle.

Hibs came even closer after 20 minutes when full back David Murphy received a short free kick and struck for goal, the shot looked to be sailing into the top corner but Craig Nelson pulled off a fantastic save to keep out the stinging effort.

Left winger O'Brien was causing Barry Callaghan problems with his lightening pace and chances continued to come for the visitors as Donaldson was just inches away from connecting with a diving header in front of goal.

Donaldson again had an excellent opportunity to open his account for Hibernian when he turned Chris Hughes superbly but with only Nelson to beat, he screwed the ball horribly wide.

Beuzelin then picked out O'Brien on the left hand side and the former Newcastle man got the by-line before whipping a low cross right along the face of goal, but trialist Gardiner managed to hook it over his own goal under pressure.

Hibernian made no changes at the break while Charlie King came on for debutant Gary Fusco and Stuart Callaghan replaced Kevin Byers for City.

City had their first shot on goal after 50 minutes when they won a free kick 25 yards from goal but Stuart Callaghan's curling effort was confortably saved by Ma-Kalambay in the Hibs goal.

The visitors then rang the changes as Shiels, Jonoliet, McCann, Chisholm, Zemmama and Benjelloun replaced Gathurssi, Hogg, Kerr, Beuzelin, Stevenson and the striker trialist respectively.

Benjelloun had only been on the park for 10 seconds when he forced Nelson into a diving save after turning his marker. Darren Smith then had to be on hand to head an effort from Jonoleit off the line.

City came close to grabbing the opener when Iain Russell's shot was blocked by Rob Jones on the line. The City players appealed for a penalty as they felt it had hit his hand, but the referee waved away the claims.

The visitors finally broke the deadlock 15 minutes from time when Donaldson sent O'Brien scampering down the left hand side and his low cross found an unmarked Benjelloun in the box and with only Nelson to beat, the striker side footed the ball high into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Brechin forced a couple of corners immediately after Benjelloun’s goal but could only find the side netting before Russell held off Jones and hit an effort straight at Ma-Kalambay from twelve yards.

City looked to have equalised at the end when Ma-Kalambay spilled the ball at the feet of Chris Geddes, and the young striker turned to shot the ball past the big keeper, but the ball hit the post and rolled along the goal-line before it was cleared by Rob Jones. The ball only went as far as Chris Geddes and the Hibs keeper made a good stop to deny the striker.

Hibs grabbed a second goal near the end when Shiels cross was met by Donaldson at the back post and his header hit the bar, the ball fell down for David Murphy but his effort struck the post and the ball sat nicely for Donaldson to poke the ball into the net.

Overall, a decent performance from City and O'Neill will be happy with the way the players battled throughout against a very strong Hibs side. Next up for the reds is a local friendly derby at home to Montrose this Saturday, kick off is at 3pm. Admission prices are £4 for juveniles and £8 for adults, season tickets will be on sale at the game. Prices for the season tickets will be confirmed at tonight's AGM.

Brechin:- Nelson, B Callaghan, Trialist Gardiner, Hughes, Walker, Byers (S Callaghan 45), Fusco (King 45), Trialist Jancyz (Byers 68), Johnston (Trialist Smith 68), Russell (Connolly 80), D Smith (Geddes 78).

Hibernian:- Ma-Kalambay, Gathurssi, Murphy, Hogg, Jones, Kerr, Beuzelin, Stevenson, Donaldson, Trialist, O’Brien. Subs: Benjelloun, Jonoliet, McCann, Shiels, Zemmama, Chisholm, Grof.

Referee: Willie Hornby

Attendance: 661