Brechin City moved to the top of the Breedon Highland League last night thanks to a hard-fought victory over Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park.

In a tense contest, he decisive moment arrived midway through the first half when Dugald Farquhar rose highest to power home his first goal for the club - a moment that could prove be hugely vital in the context of City’s title push.

Unsurprisingly, Manager Andy Kirk named the same starting 11 that earned victory over Nairn County at the weekend, keeping faith with the side that had delivered an excellent performance and result. Jordan Harris and Ethan Innes also stepped up from the Under-20 development side to provide additional options from the bench.  

Brechin began on the front foot and fashioned the first opening of the evening inside the opening minute. A dangerous delivery into the box was headed down intelligently by Spencer Moreland, falling kindly for Calvin Beattie, but his snapshot on the turn was well blocked.

The hosts gradually settled into the game and showed they would pose a threat of their own. Just before the quarter hour mark, Calum Frame tried his luck from distance with a powerful effort that whistled narrowly past the post, before the visitors came even closer a minute later. A long ball over the top found Lewis Mackenzie unmarked, and after cutting inside cleverly, he fired into the side netting.

Those chances served as a warning to City who thought they had broken the deadlock on 17 minutes when Grady McGrath turned home a cross from Callum Hannah, only for celebrations to be cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside.

Grady McGrath has the ball in the net but it's ruled out for offside

Just three minutes later, the same combination nearly paid off again. Hannah was once more involved as he supplied McGrath in the box but this time the striker was denied from close range by an excellent save from the Forres goalkeeper.

It felt like City were edging closer and the breakthrough arrived on 27 minutes. A well-delivered corner from Kieran Inglis caused problems in the Forres penalty area and DUGALD FARQUHAR attacked it with conviction, rising above the goalkeeper to head home.

Dugald Farquhar celebrates netting his first City goal

Now a goal ahead, Brechin looked to press home their advantage and nearly doubled it just after the half-hour mark. Fraser Macleod showed superb footwork to dance his way into the penalty area before cutting the ball back into a dangerous area for McGrath, but once again the striker was denied by a sharp save from McCarthy.

City remained on top and continued to ask questions. On 34 minutes, Macleod saw an effort blocked before the loose ball broke for Inglis, who fired over the bar from a promising position. Forres, however, remained firmly in the contest and reminded City of that on 37 minutes when Kyle Macleod sent a shot inches wide from the edge of the area.

Early in the second half, Aidan Cruickshank fired straight at McNeil, while at the other end Scott Fraser did well to create an opening for Inglis on 54 minutes, but his low effort was blocked.

City came close to doubling their advantage just after the hour mark. Moreland burst down the right hand side and fizzed a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box that almost forced an own goal, only for McCarthy to react well and keep it out. Moments later, Hannah fired over from a difficult angle as Brechin searched for breathing space.

Euan Spark challenges for the ball

On 65 minutes, another excellent cross from Hannah flashed across goal, but agonisingly there was no touch as McGrath slid in just a fraction too late.

Although City were creating the better of the opportunities, Forres continued to ask questions of the City defence.  A slack backpass from Hannah gifted Frame a clear run on goal and he looked to take it around McNeil, but the City goalkeeper got a crucial hand to the ball before gathering at the second attempt.

McGrath dragged a shot wide on 71 minutes, before City nearly produced the decisive second goal late on the counter attack. Five minutes from time, Hannah released Mitchell Findlay in behind the Forres defence and his angled effort skimmed the top of the crossbar as City came within inches of sealing it.

There was still time for one final opening on 87 minutes when the ball broke kindly for Macleod inside the area, but he couldn’t quite keep his composure and placed his shot wide of the target.

In the end, one goal proved enough and the 3 points is all that matters at this stage of the season. Forres Mechanics made life difficult and certainly had their moments, but City’s backline stood firm under pressure and dealt with everything the home side could throw at them.

City players show their appreciation at full time

The result means Brechin now head into the final three fixtures of the season one point clear at the top of the league, with momentum and belief continuing to build at exactly the right time.  Next up for City is another huge encounter at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park on Saturday as we face Nairn County for the second time in the space of a week in what promises to be another crucial afternoon in the title race.