Ross Caldwell, centre, celebrates with his Brechin City team-mates after netting the opener in last night’s 1-1 Championship play-off first leg against Raith Rovers.

Ross Caldwell penalty gives them share of the spoils with Raith Rovers

Brechin City and Raith Rovers shared the spoils after a hard-fought and competitive 90 minutes at Glebe Park.

Ross Caldwell gave the hosts the lead from the penalty-spot a minute before half-time, with Rovers equalising in the 69th minute thanks to a superb Declan McManus free-kick.

Raith enjoyed the lion’s share of pressure and possession in the early stages but they found the home defence in an uncompromising mood.

Rovers had a half-chance in the 34th minute when they won a corner on the right with Rudi Skacel flighting a good cross into the box straight to Jean Yves M’Voto who glanced a header just wide of the target, and a minute later City keeper Smith was called into action parrying a point-black shot from Declan McManus.

With a minute of the first-half remaining, City were dramatically awarded a penalty when Andy Jackson was brought down in the box by M’Voto. Caldwell stepped up to blast the spotkick past Raith keeper Conor Brennan.

Raith hit back and had the ball in the net seconds later though Skacel but he was ruled offside.

Rovers began the second half just as they had begun the first putting immediate pressure on the City rearguard but the hosts stood firm.

But the constant pressure paid off in the 69th minute when they grabbed the equaliser, Declan McManus slotting home a superb 25-yard free-kick after James Dale had fouled Ross Matthews.

City boss Darren Dods said: “The end result was probably a fair one as Raith put us under lots of pressure particularly with their aerial advantage.

“We’re still in the tie but it’s obviously going to be very tough at Stark’s Park on Saturday. However, we’ll go there and give it our very best shot.

Raith boss John Hughes said: “It wasn’t a classic, that’s for sure, but it was two teams who were really competitive.”

“All credit to Brechin. They gave as good as they got but it’s only half-time with all to play for, but having said that I felt that we deserved to take something from the match and should have won it.”

Brechin City: Graeme Smith, Lynas, Fusco, McLean, Dyer, Ford, Graham, Dale, Watt, Andrew Jackson, Caldwell. Subs Not Used: Love, Chris O’Neil, Costello, Dods, Patrick O’Neil.

Raith Rovers: Brennan, Thomson, Mvoto, Craig Barr, Benedictus, Matthews, Davidson, Skacel (Hardie 57), Handling, McManus, Court (Johnston 68). Subs Not Used: Robertson, Stewart, Bobby Barr, Roberts, Brian.

Attendance: 1,022. Referee: Don Robertson.

We’re still in the tie but it’s obviously going to be very tough at Stark’s Park on Saturday. However, we’ll go there and give it our very best shot. DARREN DODS

Picture: SNS. Ross Caldwell gives the home side the lead from the penalty spot.