Brechin City returned to winning ways in the Lowland League East with a 3-1 victory over East Stirlingshire at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park last night.

City were far from their best for much of the evening but Andy Kirk's side stepped up a gear following the hour mark. The introduction of Mitch Taylor and Darren Watson proved pivotal, with the substitutes combining for the second goal before Taylor put the result beyond doubt with a stunning finish.

Following Saturday's exertions in the Scottish Cup, it came as little surprise that Kirk freshened up his starting 11 with Brad McKay, Lewis Martin, Brad Rodden and Fraser Macleod coming into the side.

City started brightly and created the first opportunity after just seven minutes. Fraser Macleod picked out Dale Hilson just inside the box, but the striker's effort rose over the crossbar.

Two minutes later however, DALE HILSON made no mistake as City took the lead. A slack backpass towards the goalkeeper presented Hilson with an opportunity and he nipped in to slot home from close range, despite the best efforts of a defender attempting to clear the ball from the line.

Dale Hilson puts City ahead early on

Just before the quarter hour mark, Curtis Main curled an effort wide from the edge of the box but almost immediately, the visitors were level. A long ball upfield was misjudged in the air by Brad McKay, allowing Sonny Aluko to race in behind the City defence and he kept his composure to slot the ball beyond Kyle Gourlay.

City responded and went close to regaining the lead midway through the first half. Jay Cantley produced an excellent point-blank save to deny Spencer Moreland's header, before Lewis Martin fired the rebound over from close range when he should have hit the target.

Brad Rodden then threatened when he got down the left side of the box and fired a shot across the face of goal with no takers.

The visitors looked dangerous on the counter and they carved City open in the 36th minute, only for Gourlay to make an excellent save with his feet to deny Kai Wilson.

Goalscorer Sonny Aluko caused further problems shortly before the interval, forcing Gourlay into another save at his near post with the City goalkeeper tipping the effort over the crossbar.

Ryan Blair in action

East Stirling continued to threaten after the restart and almost took the lead in the 56th minute when Aluko powered forward, although his eventual effort was weak and straight at Gourlay.

Just before the hour mark, City earned a free kick 20 yards from goal after Dale Hilson was fouled, but Ryan Blair's curling effort sailed over the crossbar.

The visitors then missed a huge opportunity to move in front. A cross from the left found Kai Wilson completely unmarked inside the City penalty area but he somehow directed his header away from goal.

With the game still finely balanced, Kirk turned to his bench in the 64th minute and introduced Darren Watson and Mitch Taylor for Curtis Main and Ryan Blair. The changes would ultimately prove decisive.

Taylor almost made an immediate impact, volleying straight at Cantley and Brad Rodden then passed up a golden opportunity when the ball fell kindly to him around eight yards from goal, but he skewed his effort wide.

A minute later, City came even closer. Spencer Moreland's low strike looked destined for the bottom corner, only for Cantley to palm the ball away for a corner. The resulting set-piece was then headed wide by Brad McKay.

City were finally rewarded for their pressure with quarter of an hour remaining and it was the two substitutes who combined to put City back in front. Taylor whipped a dangerous cross into the box and DARREN WATSON glanced an excellent header into the corner of the net.

Darren Watson wheels away after heading City in front

City now had their tails up and went looking for a third. A rampaging run from Macleod was eventually halted by an East Stirlings defender, but the ball fell kindly for Moreland whose subsequent effort was deflected wide.

City wrapped up the points 9 minutes from time - Brad Rodden launched a long ball forward which caused hesitation in the visitors defence and as ever, MITCH TAYLOR was alert to the danger, intercepting the ball before unleashing an unstoppable volley beyond Cantley to double City's advantage.

Mitch Taylor is congratulated after netting the third goal

City continued to threaten late on with Corey Kirk cutting the ball back for substitute Cormac Christie in the 88th minute, but the on-loan Rangers forward blazed over from close range.

Overall it was not a vintage performance from Andy Kirk's side who had to withstand some dangerous moments from an East Stirling outfit that caused problems on the counter-attack. However, the introduction of Taylor and Watson changed the game with the pair making a telling contribution as City finally found another gear.

After Saturday's gruelling 120-minute Scottish Cup tie against Strathspey Thistle, City will be more than satisfied to have returned to winning ways 0n league duty. Attention now turns to Saturday as City make the long journey to face Gala Fairydean.