The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Brechin spirits remain high despite late blow
CHAMPIONSHIP: Encouraging performance ends in defeat as City are punished late on
Paul Mclean insists his Brechin teammates remain upbeat despite failing to record a victory in their opening eight games of the season.
The Glebe Park side are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table but experienced defender Mclean believes everybody connected with the club is fully aware of how difficult life will be following their promotion from League 1 last season.
He said: “The boys knew it would be a tough season, we knew that in preseason and the gaffer made sure we knew that and how important it was to stick together even when results aren’t going our way.
“It’s a big step up from League 1. “Whenever we give away a chance it’s normally a goal, whereas we might have got away with it last year.
“In open play I honestly don’t think we are getting opened up more than we did before, it’s just the opposition take their chances more often.”
Indeed, Brechin produced an encouraging performance against the new league leaders but were left to rue their bad luck when Dale Hilson got on the end of a Ross Stewart cross and fired a winner for the Buddies with only 12 minutes remaining.
The visitors had come agonisingly close to taking an unexpected lead moments earlier through 17-year-old Connor Mclennan.
The striker, on loan from Aberdeen, impressed throughout and would have capped his performance with a goal had Jamie Mccart not cleared his effort off the line.
As the game reached the closing stages, Mclean admitted St Mirren’s greater resources made the difference, saying: “You can see the subs they can bring on and the quality that they have. They are a full-time side and we aren’t – that made a difference in the end.
“Apart from the goals they didn’t create much and we feel like we had the better chances but lacked a bit of concentration at the vital time.”
After a tedious opening period, St Mirren went ahead when Cammy Smith collected a brilliant pass from Stephen Mcginn and slotted the ball past Graeme Smith in the Brechin goal.
The home side struggled to capitalise on their advantage and Brechin levelled through ex-saints player Kalvin Orsi.
The striker was left unmarked at the back post and swooped to head home after a deep cross by Jordan Sinclair.
St Mirren failed to trouble Smith until they scored that late winner and Brechin were left bewildered that referee Gavin Duncan failed to award them penalties when it appeared their players were twice grappled in the box when attacking corners.
Match-winner Hilson, a former Forfar player, was delighted to score, saying: “I was frustrated how I played but managed to pop up with the winner.”
“In open play I honestly don’t think we are getting opened up more than we did before, it’s just the opposition take their chances more often. PAUL MCLEAN