City suffered their first league defeat of the season yesterday afternoon as an in-form Hill of Beath Hawthorn side claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.

It was a hugely frustrating afternoon for City who never really got into any kind of rhythm during the 90 minutes.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn arrived at the Glebe who, like City, had won their last 6 league fixtures and it was the Fife side who ultimately extended that winning run courtesy of a free-kick early in the second half.

Andy Kirk made three changes to the side that had started Wednesday night's 1-0 victory over the University of Stirling. Brad McKay returned from suspension, while Alfie Joss and Corey Kirk also came into the starting 11. Ross Milne and Euan Hamilton dropped to the bench, with Mason Chisholm missing out through injury.

Brad McKay returned from suspension to captain the side

The visitors made a lively start and threatened inside the opening minute. John Smith curled an effort narrowly over Kyle Gourlay's crossbar and four minutes later, Liam Middleton fired into the side netting from close range.

City registered their first opportunity on 7 minutes as Lewis Martin's effort took a deflection and went straight at Blair Penman in goal.

The Haws continued to enjoy the better of the early exchanges and Gourlay was called into action on the quarter hour mark. A cutback found Middleton inside the penalty area, but the City goalkeeper was quickly down to make an important save and keep the scores level.

City struggled to establish any real rhythm as the first half progressed, although they did threaten from a set-piece in the 31st minute. Mitch Taylor's long throw was headed only as far as Greig Young, whose first-time volley took a deflection and flew behind for a corner.

Dale Hilson tussles for possession

Just before the interval, Hill of Beath squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Jay Bridgeford found himself through on goal and Gourlay did brilliantly to deny him but the loose ball fell kindly to Middleton with the goal at his mercy. However, his effort clipped the top of the crossbar and City escaped.

Just 3 minutes after the restart, the visitors took the lead. Ryan Blair conceded a cheap free kick 20 yards out and JAMES LINTON fired the set-piece which found the corner of the net despite Gourlay getting a hand to it.

City looked to respond and another long throw from Taylor caused problems in the penalty area and Brad McKay rose highest to meet it, but his header was well tipped over the bar by Penman.

Penman does well to tip over the bar from Brad McKay's header

Hill of Beath thought they had doubled their advantage on the hour mark when John Smith found the back of the net, but the assistant referee's flag was raised for offside.

City continued to search for a way back into the game and began to create more opportunities as the final quarter approached. In the 67th minute, Ryan Blair found Mitch Taylor inside the box. Taylor cut inside onto his right foot and got a shot away, but Penman stood up well to block the effort with his foot.

Five minutes later, Blair was involved again as he met Cormac Christie's corner, but his header drifted wide of the target. Taylor was then presented with another opportunity with quarter of an hour remaining after working space inside the box, but his effort was straight at Penman who gathered at the second attempt.

Shortly after, Darren Watson met the ball on the volley which Penman could only parry. The loose ball remained dangerous and as Watson challenged for it with the goalkeeper, he went down inside the box. City's appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee.

On 79 minutes, Brad McKay rose to meet another Ryan Blair corner, but his header was straight at Penman and with 5 minutes remaining, City passed up a huge opportunity to level five minutes from time.

Cormac Christie caused problems in the home back line and the ball eventually fell to Darren Watson inside the area. Watson's initial effort was kept out by the feet of Penman before the goalkeeper produced another outstanding save to claw away Watson's header from the rebound and preserve his side's lead.

Head in hands as Penman produces two fine saves to deny Darren Watson

As the game entered stoppage time, Watson worked space on the right and sent a dangerous cross towards goal, but the ball caught the top of the crossbar before going behind.

Referee Ben Graham called time on a hugely disappointing afternoon for City. Having enjoyed 6 consecutive wins, Andy Kirk's side never reached the levels they are capable of and were made to pay by a Hill of Beath side who showed why they came into the game on such a strong run of form.

There is no time for the disappointment to linger, however, with City now looking to dust themselves down and respond next weekend when Dunipace visit the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park.