Dods predicts ‘cracking game’ against Warriors

Brechin edged ever closer to clinching a play-off spot with a 1-0 win over Albion Rovers.

The Glebe Park men sit fourth in League One, behind third-placed Airdrie only on goals scored.

They need a point away to Stenhousemuir in their final game next week to hold off East Fife and Queen’s Park and make sure of finishing in the top four.

A delighted Brechin manager Darren Dods said: “We have set up a cracking final game at Stenhousemuir as they had a good win today.

“We go into the last game with a great chance and we would have settled for that at the start of the season.

“We have been on a good run of form which has kept us in it. After our result last week we knew that if we won our last two games we would be there.

“We had two great chances in the first half when the ball was cleared off the line, then Paul McLean grabbed us a goal.

“Our battling qualities shone through despite being down to the bare bones with three men suspended and another three injured.

“The suspended boys will be back next Saturday and a couple of the injured lads have a chance as well so we could be near full strength.

“Stenhousemuir are trying to avoid finishing bottom of the table so it will be some game. It will not matter to us whether we finish third or fourth, as long as we are in the play-offs.”

Elliot Ford shot just wide for Brechin on two minutes, then Paul Willis should have scored for Albion when he volleyed over from close range.

On 20 minutes a close range effort from Alan Trouten was blocked on the Albion line, then a shot on the turn from Ryan Wallace was saved by home keeper Paddy O’Neill.

On 25 minutes a shot from Ford was blocked on the line by a defender who knew little about it.

Right on half-time a header from Ally Love slipped just wide as Brechin pressed.

Brechin broke the deadlock in the opening minute of the second half when a Love corner was headed home by McLean.

The home side coped with everything Albion could throw at them and on 76 minutes almost stretched their lead when a Love free-kick was saved by Ross Stewart.

Four minutes later, Andy Jackson drove just over for City.

In the fourth minute of added time, Jackson cleared off the line to make sure Brechin took all three points.