City recorded their first victory in the Lowland League East as they came back from behind to earn all 3 points against fellow title hopefuls Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park.

Having been held to a draw in their opening fixture at East Stirlingshire in midweek, City showed plenty of character to recover from going a goal behind and claim all three points against a side widely tipped to be challenging at the top end of the table come the end of the season.

There were two changes to the side from Wednesday evening's match at Ochilview, with captain Euan Spark making a welcome return in the heart of the defence while Greig Young also returned to the starting eleven on the left-hand side of defence.

Captain Euan Spark made his return to the side

On a blustery afternoon in Bonnyrigg, the hosts conjured up the first opportunity after just two minutes when a deflected effort from Alassan Jones flew wide of goal.

City's first opportunity arrived from a Ryan Blair free-kick in the ninth minute, with Brad McKay glancing his header just past the post.

The opening goal arrived just before the quarter hour mark and it went the way of the hosts. A long ball out from the back found Billy King on the right flank and the former Hearts and Dundee United winger produced an excellent first touch to glide past Greig Young and evading further challenges as he drove into the box, drilling a left-footed effort into the near corner to put Bonnyrigg ahead.

Brechin's response was almost immediate. Just three minutes later Fraser Macleod's corner caused chaos inside the six-yard box as goalkeeper Marc Anderson failed with his attempted punch out. The loose ball dropped kindly for Brad McKay and the defender reacted quickest, producing an excellent turn and volley which flew high into the net to level the score.

Brad McKay equalises for City from close range

The turnaround was completed just after the half hour mark. Mitch Taylor showed excellent awareness to nod the ball into the path of Darren Watson who burst in behind the Bonnyrigg defence. Watson's effort took a significant deflection off a recovering defender, looping high over Anderson and dropping into the net to give City the lead.

Brechin almost added a third moments later. Lewis Martin's powerful strike from distance was parried by Anderson and although Mitch Taylor fired the rebound wide, the assistant's flag was already raised.

Taylor was proving a constant menace to the home defence and he was denied again in the 35th minute after Darren Watson headed the ball into his path. Through one-on-one with Anderson, he fired a strike early and the Bonnyrigg goalkeeper saved well with his legs.

Five minutes before the break Taylor once again tested the goalkeeper, cutting in from the right before unleashing a fierce effort that Anderson did brilliantly to push away for a corner as City finished the first half strongly.

Brechin continued where they left off after the interval and Fraser Macleod volleyed narrowly wide from the edge of the area just two minutes into the second half.

City had been defending well but Bonnyrigg wasted a glorious opportunity after 70 minutes when a cross dropped to Bradley Barrett unmarked at the back post, only for the substitute to send his volley high over the bar.

The hosts threatened again two minutes later after a mishit clearance from Greig Young ballooned into the air and fell kindly for substitute Jordan Smith, but his header was straight at Kyle Gourlay.

City then found themselves denied what looked a golden chance to extend their lead. Euan Hamilton sent Mitch Taylor racing through on goal with Taylor clearly in his own half when the pass was played and with a defender still at least 5 yards ahead of him. Despite appearing comfortably onside, the assistant raised his flag denying Taylor the opportunity to square for Darren Watson who was waiting unmarked in front of goal.

Mitch Taylor caused no end of problems for the home side with his pace

As the game entered its closing stages, City had further opportunities to put the contest beyond doubt. Dale Hilson produced a brilliant driving run down the left before picking out Euan Hamilton in the middle but with only the goalkeeper to beat, the on-loan midfielder hesitated and a recovering defender managed to block his effort.

Moments later Mitch Taylor again created an opening for himself, turning his marker superbly before firing in a blistering volley that Anderson did well to keep out.

Bonnyrigg almost snatched an equaliser in the 89th minute and it took heroics from City to preserve their advantage. A headed clearance fell kindly for Lee Currie inside the box but Gourlay produced an outstanding save with his feet before Darren Watson threw himself in the way of the rebound to divert it over the bar.

There were still five minutes of stoppage time to negotiate, but City stood firm to see out an excellent victory and claim a huge three points on the road.

Following a demanding start to the campaign, Brechin will welcome a rare free midweek before returning to action next Saturday when they host Berwick Rangers in their first home league fixture of the season at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.