City battled through torrential rain and swirling winds in Inverness to claim a hard-earned victory over Clachnacuddin yesterday evening, with Cillian Sheridan’s late strike proving decisive in a fiercely contested encounter.

Manager Andy Kirk made two changes to the side that featured on Saturday, introducing Ross Milne and Cillian Sheridan in place of Mitchell Findlay and Grady McGrath. 

The hosts carved out the first opportunity of the evening after eight minutes when Craig Lawrie let fly from the edge of the area with his effort drifting narrowly wide of the post.

City soon began to settle and produced numerous chances midway through the half. Fraser Macleod’s free-kick delivery caused problems and eventually fell kindly for Euan Spark inside the box on the quarter hour mark, but his left-footed effort whistled inches past the post.

Just two minutes later City were threatening again. Callum Hannah and Mitch Taylor both saw efforts blocked in quick succession as Clachnacuddin bodies threw themselves in the way to deny the visitors.

Brechin continued to press and on 20 minutes Mitch Taylor’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and looped over for a corner. From the resulting delivery, Sheridan rose highest to nod towards the bottom corner but goalkeeper Mark Ridgers produced an excellent save to claw the ball away.

City remained on the front foot approaching the half-hour mark. Sheridan slipped a clever pass through the defence for Taylor to chase but he was denied by the alert Ridgers who raced from his line to save with his feet. Moments later Fraser Macleod’s shot deflected harmlessly into the keeper’s arms before Taylor fired over after a cleared corner dropped invitingly for him.

Clachnacuddin then had a strong spell for the last 15 minutes of the first half. On 33 minutes Mikey McKenzie flashed a shot beyond the far post and the hosts came closest of all six minutes before the interval. Troy Cooper unleashed a powerful strike that thundered off the crossbar.

Moments later, Craig Lawrie's strike was parried out by Andy McNeil and from the rebound, Cooper blazed over from close range as City survived.

On the stroke of half time, a loose ball fell kindly for Jordan Macrae whose effort went across the face of goal before being cleared to safety.

Within two minutes of the restart, Fraser Macleod saw a whipped effort deflected over the bar. Shortly after, Brad McKay went down near the left side of the penalty area but referee Robert Mackinnon ruled the foul occurred just outside the box despite Brechin appeals.

Chances remained at a premium as the difficult weather conditions continued to affect the flow of the match. On 65 minutes Sheridan looked certain to score after being played clean through on goal, but the ball bobbled awkwardly at the crucial moment and his shot flew over the bar.

Clachnacuddin had their own penalty claims five minutes later when Troy Cooper went down under pressure from goalkeeper Andy McNeil following a loose backpass, but the referee waved the appeals away.

As the match entered its closing stages Brechin pushed hard for a winner. Fraser Macleod twice had efforts blocked in the 79th minute as the Clach defence were also holding firm.

The decisive moment finally arrived in the 83rd minute. Substitute Grady McGrath rose to meet a cross and his header slipped through the grasp of Ridgers. Sheridan reacted quickest, pouncing from a yard out to bundle the ball home and give Brechin a priceless late lead.

City nearly added a second three minutes later when Mitch Taylor worked space on the left side of the box but his effort was deflected over the bar.

Clachnacuddin pushed desperately for an equaliser in stoppage time and Brechin survived a huge scare in the 93rd minute when Jordan Macrae found space in front of goal, only to drag his shot wide of the post.

After a night of relentless wind, rain and physical battles across the pitch, City held on to secure the win against a Clachnacuddin side that has been challenging at the top end of the Highland League all season.

City now turn their attention to Saturday’s home fixture against Inverurie Locos as they look to put together another winning run.