City took on beaten Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic at Glebe Park tonight in the 3rd pre-season friendly and once again proved to be a good run-out for the players against higher league opposition.

With the rain clouds forming before the game, the heavens opened as soon as the match kicked off and both sides found it difficult to create any opportunities in the pouring rain.

Both sides looked extremely keen however, and it was City who conjured up the first chance of the match after 11 minutes when Phil McGuire's slip allowed Chris Geddes through on goal but Roddy McKenzie made a good save to deny the young striker.

New signing Kevin Harper looked lively on the right for the visitors, as did Stevie Crawford, but the Pars failed to get a hold on the game and Brechin were well on top for the opening 20 minutes.

After 24 minutes Stephen Simmons was fouled 20 yards from goal and the resulting free kick from new recruit Stephen Glass flew over the crossbar.

Despite creating very little in the way of goalscoring opportunities, it was Dunfermline who opened the scoring on the half hour mark. Stephen Simmons was once again fouled outside the area, and the ball was played out to Harper on the right and his cross found Mark Burchill, who headed into the far corner to give the Pars the lead.

Brechin continued to trouble the Pars rearguard and Darren Smith was next to come close when his long range effort went wide of the goal.

Just a few minutes before the break, the visitors grabbed a second goal. Scott Thomson beat two players on the left hand side before passing to Burchill, and he played the ball to the onrushing Stephen Simmons who slotted the ball neatly past Nelson.

Despite Dunfermline going in two up at the break, it was a fairly even game with City unlucky to get on the score-sheet early on.

With 55 minutes on the clock the Pars put the game beyond doubt as they netted a third goal. Kevin Harper made a good run on the right before playing the ball to Burchill, and he played the ball through for Stephen Glass who chipped the ball beautifully over Nelson and into the net.

However, City fought back and netted a consolation goal just a few minutes later. The ever impressive Darren Smith jinked past a couple of defenders before drilling the ball past Roddy McKenzie and into the net.

As the sun began to shine City were back on top again and came close when Adam Nelson's placed effort was cleared off the line and the ball was eventually gathered up by Roddy McKenzie.

Dunfermline had the ball in the net after 74 minutes when Mark Burchill has been set up by Owen Morrison, but the goal was chalked off for offside.

Just a minute later City won a free kick 25 yards out. The ball was swung to the far post where David White headed across the face of goal. A real let off for the visitors.

With 9 minutes left on the clock former Par Scott Walker was on hand to clear off the line as a shot had Nelson well beaten.

Overall, a decent battling performance from City who may feel unfortunate to have lost by 2 clear goals. However, it was another chance for the players to get some match practice under their belts and also for Michael O'Neill to have another look at trialists Neil Janczyk and Calum Smith, who both came on in the second half.

Brechin:- C Nelson, Murie, S Callaghan (Janczyk 46), Hughes (White 46), S Walker, A Nelson, R Walker, King (B Callaghan 46), Johnston (Russell 68), Geddes (Trialist C Smith 63), D Smith. Subs not used:- McLuskey, Connolly, Ward.

Dunfermline:- McKenzie, Shields, Wilson, Young (Morrison 46), McGuire (Woods 78), Thomson, Harper (Williamson 60), Simmons, Burchill (Hamilton 63), Crawford, Glass (Phinn 88). Sub not used:- Murdoch.