Drab encounter at Glebe as City and Fifers misfire

LEAGUE 1: Brechin pick up valuable point but remain second bottom

BRECHIN 0 EAST FIFE 0

Brechin and East Fife had to settle for a share of the spoils after a dour encounter at Glebe Park last night.

The goal-less draw leaves Barry Smith’s side second bottom of League 1 – two points behind Stranraer – as they strive to avoid relegation for a second successive season.

The visitors had been dealt a blow in losing to play-off rivals Forfar on Saturday and this point from their second sojourn into Angus in four days sees them six points behind the Loon with a game in hand.

The Fifers had the first chance in 33 minutes when former Dundee defender Daryll Meggat shot wide.

At the other end a Kalvin Orsi cross was cleared after good build-up play.

East Fife pressed as half-time approached and Mark Docherty had a long range shot saved then Jonny Court head-flicked wide from a Ross Davidson cross.

Three minutes into the second half a great turn from long-serving City striker Andy Jackson lost two players and Fife keeper Daniel Terry, who replaced the injured Brett Long at Station Park on Saturday, saved at his feet.

Meggat headed wide, then on 56 minutes a Court header was tipped over by Paddy O’neil.

The dangerous Court headed wide from a Docherty cross, then in 76 minutes the best home move of the match ended with a Jackson shot being saved.

On 76 minutes an overhead kick from veteran defender Dougie Hill went wide, then as Brechin tried to steal all three points, an acrobatic effort from Scott Robertson just missed the top corner.

East Fife forced a string of corners but Brechin held out for a valuable point in their battle against relegation.

Attendance: 402.

Brechin: O’neil, Mclean, Toshney, Hill, Scobbie, Orsi, Smith, Robertson, Thomson (Lynas 81), Jackson, Jamieson (Kavanagh 60). Subs not used: Miller, Bowman, Jordan Tapping, Spark, Mcgeever.

East Fife: Terry, Dunlop, Higgins, Meggatt, Dunsmore, Watt, Broque Watson (Bell 70), Slattery, Docherty, Davidson, Court (Smith 82). Subs not used: Kane, Linton, Couser.

Referee: Grant Irvine.