City got back to winning ways in the Lowland League yesterday afternoon with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dunipace at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

Following last weekend's disappointing defeat against Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Manager Andy Kirk made a number of changes to his starting line-up, with Adam Meek replacing Kyle Gourlay between the sticks and Mason Chisholm returning from injury.  There were also competitive debuts from both of City's latest recruits, with Bradley Rodden and Curtis Main handed starting places as Kirk looked to freshen up his attacking options.

City couldn't have asked for a better start  Just four minutes were on the clock when Lewis Martin was brought down around 20 yards from goal, presenting RYAN BLAIR with an early opportunity from the resulting free kick. Blair curled a sumptuous effort over the wall and into the top corner, leaving former City goalkeeper Lewis McMinn with absolutely no chance.

Ryan Blair's free kick hits the net to open the scoring

City almost doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Mitch Taylor burst in behind the Dunipace defence down the left and managed to beat McMinn to the ball, but the goalkeeper recovered well to make a save with his feet.

Dunipace threatened for the first time in the 13th minute when a bouncing ball caught Bradley Rodden out and Fleming raced in on goal. Adam Meek stood up well, however, making an important save with his legs.

City continued to create opportunities and just before the quarter hour mark, Darren Watson's cross from the left found Dale Hilson unmarked at the back post but he couldn't quite sort his feet out, though, and could only fire into the side netting.

Five minutes later Hilson was involved again, producing a neat reverse pass into the path of Taylor whose subsequent strike was charged down by a Dunipace defender before being gathered by McMinn.

City would come close again when Corey Kirk's swirling cross found Rodden inside the box, but the debutants effort spun narrowly wide.

Dunipace continued to pose a threat on the break and Sam Colley fired into the side netting just before the half hour mark and five minutes later, Meek was called into action as Scott Sinclair's effort took a deflection but the City goalkeeper reacted well to turn the ball around the post.

Mitch Taylor challenges for a high ball

Shortly before the interval, Kirk unleashed a long-range effort which flew narrowly past the upright and there was another excellent chance right on half-time. Taylor once again showed his pace to leave his marker trailing down the left and he delivered the ball perfectly across the face of goal for Curtis Main, but the experienced striker couldn't quite sort his feet out to apply the finishing touch.

City continued to create chances after the restart, with Watson seeing a dinked effort fall just wide of the far post two minutes into the second half and moments later, Watson was involved again as he sent a low cross into the box which found Main who couldn't connect cleanly with his shot on the turn and McMinn was able to make a comfortable save.

Dunipace then came close to an equaliser. Corey Kirk conceded a free kick right on the edge of the City box in the 50th minute, with Sinclair stepping up and curling the set piece which cannoned off the post.

Three minutes later, City were caught napping by a quick free kick which allowed Callum Macdonald to race through however Meek showed excellent reactions to get down at full stretch and make a crucial save to preserve City's advantage.

With Dunipace putting City under a bit of pressure, the second goal was beginning to look increasingly important and it arrived in the 66th minute. Substitute Fraser Macleod was brought down inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped CURTIS MAIN who made no mistake from 12 yards, thumping his penalty into the bottom corner to open his City account on his debut.

Curtis Main is congratulated after doubling City's advantage

The goal settled City and they went on to have greater control of proceedings. Taylor almost added a third in the 82nd minute after being released by Watson and beating the offside trap. His strike was saved down low at the near post by McMinn when squaring the ball across to the unmarked Cormarc Christie would have been a more sensible option.

Ryan Blair then unleashed a powerful strike which flew just over the crossbar and Taylor was involved again moments later, dragging an effort narrowly wide of the far post as City continued to push for a third.

The third goal finally arrived in the 87th minute. Mitch Taylor was at the heart of the move once again, racing down the right before keeping his composure to square the ball across the box for CORMAC CHRISTIE who made no mistake from close range, slotting the ball past McMinn to open his City account.

Cormac Christie wheels away after netting City's third

There was almost a fourth just two minutes later. Christie was played clean through by Macleod and had the opportunity to grab a quickfire double, but McMinn stood up well to keep out his effort with his feet.

While the final scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon for Andy Kirk's side, there were certainly moments when Dunipace put the City defence under pressure, particularly during the opening stages of the second half before Main's penalty provided some breathing space.

The result also sees City move to within two points of the summit, with Tranent dropping points for the first time this season after being held at Musselburgh.

There is now a break from Lowland League action next weekend, with attention turning to the Scottish Cup as City welcome familiar opposition to the Glebe in the shape of Buckie Thistle in the first round.