Brechin City’s difficult record against Fraserburgh at Bellslea Park continued on Saturday afternoon as a late goal condemned Andy Kirk's men to a narrow 1–0 defeat.

In a game short on clear-cut opportunities for either side, it looked destined to finish goalless until Greg Buchan struck two minutes from time to hand the Broch all three points.

Manager Andy Kirk made three changes from the side that defeated Deveronvale in midweek. Brad McKay returned from suspension, while Lewis Martin and Mitchell Findlay also came into the starting 11.

The hosts threatened first in the seventh minute. A low cross from the left found Logan Watt, who laid the ball into the path of Scott Barbour but Callum Hannah produced an excellent last-ditch block to deny what looked like a promising opening.

On 38 minutes, a free-kick was floated into the box and met by the head of home captain Willie West but City goalkeeper Andy McNeil reacted well to gather the effort.

Just three minutes later, Barbour tried his luck again, this time meeting a bouncing ball on the volley but his strike was straight at McNeil who made a comfortable save.

Brechin struggled to create meaningful openings in the first half and went into the break knowing they needed to offer more in the final third.

City responded positively after the restart and nearly took the lead just two minutes into the second half. Mitch Taylor drove forward purposefully, weaving past a couple of challenges before unleashing a right-footed shot that was held by Fraserburgh goalkeeper Joe Barbour.

Five minutes later Brechin carved out another glorious opportunity. A low cross from Mitchell Findlay picked out Grady McGrath in the box, but the striker’s shot on the turn flashed inches over the crossbar.

City continued to push forward and came close again in the 61st minute when Lewis Martin delivered a cross that found Taylor inside the area, but his effort sailed over the bar.

The home side threatened sporadically themselves, with Willie West trying his luck from distance on 72 minutes though his effort flew comfortably over.

With 77 minutes on the clock, Fraser Macleod struck from the edge of the area but his shot took a deflection and looped safely into the goalkeeper’s arms.

City continued in their search of the opener and 6 minutes from time, substitute Marley Sweenie-Rowe sent a deep cross to the back post which Taylor rose to meet it but couldn’t direct his header on target.

With the match appearing to drift toward a stalemate, Fraserburgh struck decisively in the 88th minute. A long ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Brechin defence and the loose ball fell kindly for GREG BUCHAN, who kept his composure to slot into the corner and give the hosts the lead.Overall, City will feel they didn’t do enough to take anything from the contest in what was ultimately a tight and scrappy encounter.

Attention now turns quickly to the next fixture, with Brechin looking to bounce back on Wednesday night when they travel north to face Clachnacuddin in Inverness.