City see off Cowden to keep their hopes alive

COWDENBEATH 0 BRECHIN CITY 2

Brechin City kept their hopes alive of avoiding finishing at the bottom of League Two with a hardfought victory over close rivals Cowdenbeath.

Gary Bollan’s side produced another poor home show, following their 5-1 defeat by Stirling Albion, and are eight points ahead of City with the Glebe Parkers having three matches to play.

Veteran keeper Davie Hutton had a superb match for the visitors with two second-half stops out of the top drawer and it ensured they left with full points.

City took the lead with their first shot at goal in nine minutes when Chris Mckee steadied himself before firing a fierce right foot drive into Nicky Hogarth’s goal from 18 yards.

In 12 minutes, a cross swept into the City box from the Cowden right was met by Kris Renton and his low shot was saved by Hutton.

There was little in the game but City were eager to extend their advantage and Mckee came close again as the interval whistle approached.

Early in the second half Cowdenbeath forced two quick corners but cool defending from veteran Gerry Mclauchlan kept the Fifers out.

In 54 minutes City extended their lead when Kyle Hutton carelessly gave the ball away 25 yards out and Bobby Barr fired a curling 18-yarder past Hogarth.

Cowdenbeath immediately forced a corner and Craig Barr headed home Gavin Morrison’s set-piece but it was chalked off for a foul on the keeper.

Brechin were looking confident despite the home side seeing a lot of the ball and with 19 minutes to go Hutton pulled off fantastic saves from a Robbie Buchanan header and also from Renton.

With two minutes remaining the City veteran pulled off another fingertip save from Blue Brazil sub Zander Miller.