Brechin City's Premier Sports Cup campaign came to an end with a 3-1 defeat against near neighbours Forfar Athletic at Station Park on Saturday afternoon.

Following encouraging displays and steady improvement throughout the group stage, there was optimism around the City camp that Andy Kirk's side could finish the competition on a positive note. However, despite creating a number of opportunities throughout, first-half goals from Scott Shepherd and Martin Rennie left Brechin with too much to do.

Kirk made three changes from the side that faced Stenhousemuir in midweek, with Adam Hutchinson, Fraser Macleod and Michael McQueen all returning to the starting line-up which included no fewer than 5 ex-Forfar players. Brad McKay captained the side in the absence of Euan Spark.

The hosts thought they had made the perfect start after just two minutes when they bundled home from a corner, only for the celebrations to be cut short as the referee spotted a foul on Kyle Gourlay and ruled the effort out.

Forfar continued to threaten early on and Scott Shepherd fired into the side netting after eight minutes, but City responded well. Dale Hilson produced a superb turn on the edge of the area two minutes later before dragging his shot narrowly wide for Brechin's first real opportunity.

City were then dealt an early setback after 13 minutes when Kyle Bell was forced off through injury. The midfielder was replaced by recent loan signing Euan Hamilton, making his debut just a day after joining the club from Airdrieonians.

Euan Hamilton came on to make his debut early on

Hilson remained City's biggest attacking threat throughout the opening half. On 20 minutes he connected with a dipping volley that flashed into the side netting before seeing another effort blocked inside a crowded penalty area moments later.

At the other end, Brechin survived a major scare when Brad McKay failed to clear a loose ball and was caught unaware by a lurking Forfar attacker who fortunately blazed over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

City felt they should have been awarded a penalty midway through the half when Hilson went to ground under a challenge inside the area, but the referee dismissed the appeals.

Instead, it was the home side who were awarded a spot-kick three minutes later. Scott Shepherd was judged to have been caught by Euan Hamilton's high boot inside the area and the striker calmly dusted himself down before sending Gourlay the wrong way to put Forfar in front on the half hour mark.

Brad McKay battles with Scott Shepherd for the ball

The hosts doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Martin Rennie let fly from the edge of the area, his effort taking a significant deflection on its way beyond Gourlay to leave City with a mountain to climb.

Andy Kirk made two changes at the interval as Adam Meek replaced Gourlay in goal, while Ross Milne was introduced in place of Michael McQueen.

Milne immediately injected energy into City's performance and after 56 minutes embarked on a driving run through midfield before being cynically brought down 20 yards from goal by Mackenzie Lemon, who was shown a yellow card. Mitch Taylor's resulting free-kick, however, sailed over the crossbar.

City continued to push and Milne should perhaps have done better on 64 minutes when a left sided cross found him at the back post but headed wide.

Substitute Luke Clark then sliced another opportunity wide as Brechin searched for a route back into the contest.  Their persistence was finally rewarded six minutes from time. Neil Stafford could only parry Mitch Taylor's powerful strike before Dale Hilson's follow-up was blocked - the ball broke kindly for Lewis Martin who made no mistake in smashing home from 20 yards to mark his 100th appearance for the club with a goal.

Lewis Martin's strike finds the net

The goal should have given City renewed belief but their hopes of salvaging something from the match were extinguished almost immediately. Just two minutes later Martin Rennie tried his luck from outside the penalty area and although Adam Meek got behind the effort, the ball squirmed underneath his body and into the net to restore Forfar's two-goal advantage.

Brechin continued to battle until the final whistle and almost reduced the deficit again in the closing moments when the ball fell kindly for debutant Euan Hamilton inside the area, but Stafford reacted well to race from his line and make an important save.

While City will undoubtedly be disappointed to finish the Premier Sports Cup group stage without registering a point, the experience gained over the four matches, 3 of which against Championship sides, should stand Andy Kirk's squad in good stead as attention now turns towards the start of the league campaign.

Brechin begin their Lowland League East season on Wednesday evening with a trip to Ochilview Park to take on East Stirlingshire. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.