Experienced Sons will get Brechin’s respect

After three games in a row against Championship title contenders, the last thing Brechin City can afford to do is take a deep breath, according to manager Darren Dods.

Dundee United, Inverness and then Falkirk were the Glebe Park side’s most recent opponents. Dumbarton are their next.

Although the Sons don’t have promotion expectations, to treat them lightly would be a grave mistake.

“People forget that Dumbarton have been in this league for a few years now,” said Dods. “I can remember playing them with Falkirk.

“Yes, they’re part-time like ourselves but they have shown they can compete at this level and stay up – even when the likes of Rangers, Hearts and Hibs were there.

“And they’ve already shown what they can do this year by drawing at Dundee United last week, when they were unlucky not to win by all accounts.”

Respect for today’s opponents doesn’t mean that Brechin won’t be confident of getting a win on the road, which would be their first in the division and one that could lift them into mid-table.

Dods said: “The boys deserved to get their point against Falkirk last weekend. Falkirk were on top in the first half but we came into the game after the break and we were dominating in the last 10 minutes.

“To see us finish so strongly against a full-time team was really encouraging.

“It would be a big psychological boost to get our first win and it could take us up two or three places if we do it.

“The players would deserve it as a reward for their hard work so far. We’re definitely getting closer.”

Andy Jackson will miss out again due to his groin injury. Dods revealed: “Andy tried to train this week but it’s back to square one.”