Brechin fall short in fight to keep the title

Brechin City’s hopes of retaining the Breedon Highland League title came to an end at King George V Park in Golspie despite beating Brora Rangers 2-1.

Buckie’s 1-0 home victory over Keith at Victoria Park clinched the championship for the Jags on goal difference in a dramatic season finale.

City grabbed the opening goal nine minutes before the break when Ewan Loudon was on the spot to blast the ball into the roof of the net after Cattachs keeper Logan Ross fumbled a Marc Scott cross.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards when assistant manager Josh Meekings was sent off for dissent.

However, despite being a man down, Brora were playing well and they levelled the match in the 71st minute when Tony Dingwall evaded a number of tackles before dispatching a low drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Although Loudon scored the winner for City in the final minute when he was left with a clear run-in on goal, it was too little too late and Grady McGrath’s late dismissal for a foul on home keeper Ross made it a dismal day for the visitors.

Despite his disappointment of losing out on goal difference on the final day, Brechin boss Gavin Price was quick to offer his congratulations to the new Highland League champions.

He said: “I would just like to say congratulations to Buckie and their manager Graeme Stewart on becoming champions. They have had a fantastic run-in as the campaign drew to a close and deserve to be champions.

“Despite our win today I am obviously very disappointed with the final outcome. The key period for me was at the beginning of the second half.

“With a man advantage we created a number of opportunities in that early spell and if the second goal had gone in at that stage it might well have changed the complexion of everything.”