City produced a powerful second-half performance to defeat Inverurie Locos 4–1 at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park, with manager Andy Kirk’s substitutions proving decisive as the hosts turned a tight contest into a convincing victory.

The win builds on Wednesday night’s hard-fought success away to Clachnacuddin in Inverness.  Despite the demanding midweek trip, Kirk opted to make just one change to the starting XI. Kieran Inglis returned to the lineup for his first start since coming back to the club, replacing Ross Milne.

City started brightly and almost struck inside the opening minute when Scott Fraser met a loose ball on the edge of the area with a volley that deflected narrowly wide.

Fraser threatened again shortly afterwards, his left-footed effort from distance flying straight at Inverurie goalkeeper Eric Oluyemi who gathered comfortably.

Visiting keeper Blessing Oluyemi gathers a cross

The visitors nearly capitalised on a moment of uncertainty at the other end in the seventh minute. A miscommunication between Euan Spark and goalkeeper Andy McNeil allowed Ethan Cairns a sniff of an opportunity, but Brad McKay reacted sharply to intercept before the striker could finish.

Cairns remained Inverurie’s main attacking outlet and tested McNeil again in the 14th minute with a powerful effort at the near post that the City keeper did well to parry.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock on 33 minutes when a neat one-two between Robert Ward and Cairns opened space, but Cairns’ shot drifted just wide of the far post.

City responded late in the half. A dangerous low cross from Callum Hannah found Cillian Sheridan at the near post, but his effort was brilliantly blocked. The resulting corner almost fell kindly for Lewis Martin just a few yards out, only for a last-ditch challenge to deny him.

Hannah was again involved minutes later when his delivery picked out Spencer Moreland inside the area. Moreland cleverly sidestepped his marker but blazed his left-footed attempt over the crossbar.

Moreland went even closer moments before the break when Oluyemi produced an excellent point-blank save to deny him. From the corner, Sheridan’s header was straight at the keeper as the teams went in level at the interval.

Brechin began the second half with renewed purpose. Sheridan fired over from the edge of the box early on, while Martin headed wide from an Inglis corner as City started to put on some pressure.

The breakthrough finally arrived shortly before the hour mark. Martin delivered an excellent cross from the right and BRAD MCKAY rose unmarked in the box to power a header beyond Oluyemi and put City ahead.

Brad McKay powers home a header for the opener

Just a minute later Kirk made a double substitution, introducing Grady McGrath and Mitchell Findlay in place of Inglis and Sheridan - a move that would undoubtedly helped City for the remainder of the game.

Within three minutes the changes paid off. Another Martin cross was only partially cleared and fell invitingly for GRADY MCGRATH, who swept a composed left-footed finish low into the corner to double City’s advantage.

City were suddenly in full flow. McGrath drove towards the box soon after and teed up Findlay, whose sliced effort failed to trouble the keeper. Moments later Martin again tested Oluyemi with a fierce strike that the goalkeeper tipped over the bar.

City continued to dominate and nearly extended their lead when McGrath’s sharp snapshot forced another save at the near post.

The third goal arrived in the 77th minute. Mitch Taylor surged down the left and delivered a perfectly weighted cross for GRADY MCGRATH, who finished confidently from close range to claim his second of the afternoon.

Grady McGrath is congratulated by Fraser Macleod

Inverurie pulled one back three minutes later when a deep cross from the left found visiting captain MARK SOUTER, who headed home from close range.

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback were immediately extinguished. Straight from the restart MITCHELL FINDLAY picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fired a low shot into the corner to restore Brechin’s three-goal cushion.

City continued to push for a fifth in the closing stages, with the lively Moreland going close again but the scoreline remained 4–1 at the final whistle.

After a relatively even first half, City’s improved intensity and attacking quality in the second period proved decisive. Manager Andy Kirk’s substitutions gave City fresh impetus and ultimately settled the contest.

While the hosts may be slightly disappointed not to preserve a clean sheet, the most important outcome was another three points and a convincing victory.

With no midweek fixture ahead, Brechin now have a welcome chance to rest and recover before facing a long journey north next weekend to take on Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park.