The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
City achieve goal of place in play-offs
Dods’ delight as his side sets up clash with Raith
Brechin clinched their place in the Championship play-offs after picking up the point they needed in the 1-1 draw with Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
It was also a result which confirmed the Warriors’ relegation to League Two.
City manager Darren Dods said: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to get into the play-offs.
“From the very start of the campaign, reaching the play-offs was always our objective and I’m just so pleased that we’ve managed to achieve that.
“We started the game really well, taking the lead from the penalty spot after just five minutes, and we had a couple of great opportunities after that to increase our advantage.
“However, with just a goal in it, the game is never safe and Stenny battled back well in the second half and grabbed the equaliser with a great header from Olly Shaw.
“Thereafter, we created another couple of chances on the break and at the end of the day we held on comfortably for the point we needed.
“Reaching the play-offs was always our aim and although we’ve stuttered along the way, we’ve had to dig in and we’ve finished strongly.
“We now face Raith Rovers in the first leg at Glebe Park on Wednesday night and we’ll be looking to give a really good account of ourselves in that match.
“Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to go into the game minus both Alan Trouten and Ally Love, who both came off injured. Trouts came off early on after straining his groin while Ally rolled his ankle and it looks as if the season for both of those players is over.
“In addition, we have Euan Smith, Darren McCormack and Gareth Rodger all out, but we’ve faced difficult situations before and we’ll just roll up the sleeves and prepare ourselves for Wednesday’s match.”
City started the match really well and put immediate pressure in the home defence, grabbing the lead from the penalty spot after five minutes with Trouten converting after Love had been brought down in the box by home defender Mason Robertson.
The visitors continued to dominate for the remainder of the half with Love (twice) and Andy Jackson coming close to increasing their advantage.
It was a different story after the break, however with the Warriors – their League One survival on the line – having the lion’s share of pressure and possession and they deservedly equalised in the 62nd minute when Shaw steered a header into the bottom corner of the net.
However, they were unable to find the decisive goal that would have seen them avoid automatic relegation and City comfortably held on for the point they required.