City manager hails his league leaders

Brechin manager Darren Dods praised the mental toughness of his players as they came from behind to beat basement club Stenhousemuir, a victory that took City back to the top of the League One table.

Goals from Ally Love, Paul McLean and Darren McCormack cancelled out Mark Gilhaney’s opener for the hosts, and Dods paid tribute to the never-say-die attitude of his players.

“The players have proved already this season that even when they go behind, they still have the self-belief and confidence to come back and go on to win the match and that was in evidence again today,” he said.

“We brought a number of new players to the club at the beginning of the season but they’re gelling well and working hard for each other and where we are now at the top of the table is such a contrast to the same stage last season when we were languishing at the bottom.

“We have now an opportunity to extend our lead if we can beat Livingston at home next Saturday and that’s a match that everyone at the club is looking forward to.”

The first-half was dull and uninspiring with neither side creating much in the way of clearcut opportunities but Stenny were dealt a severe blow 10 minutes from half-time when winger Willis Furtado was sent off for aiming a kick at City’s Euan Smith.

However, that setback didn’t stop them from opening the scoring 11 minutes into the secondhalf when Gilhaney fired the ball into the top corner of the net.

City hit right back and Ally Love shot home the equaliser on the hour mark, with Paul McLean adding a second goal a couple of minutes later.

City made their extra man count and wrapped up the points six minutes from time when Darren McCormack headed home a Finn Graham corner.

Ally Love: brought Brechin level after going behind.