Jackson earns City back-to-back wins

Brechin boosted their chances of a play-off place with Andy Jackson netting the winner at Peterhead.

Manager Darren Dods said: “That’s back-to-back wins now after we went through a sticky spell and our first clean sheet for a while which is always pleasing.

“We had a couple of chances late on to tie up the game as Peterhead were always still in it. We restricted them to a few chances and it took us a while to get into the game in the first half but we played some nice stuff in the second half.

“We have a few home games coming up and we need to take full advantage of them as we are still in with a great chance of a play-off place.”

The home side went into the match on the back of a fivematch sequence without a win and without suspended top scorer Rory McAllister and captain Simon Ferry, who has a back injury.

The first shot on target came from the home side after 12 minutes, a Scott Brown effort from 22 yards that deflected off a defender and spun towards goal but was gathered by keeper Graeme Smith.

City responded two minutes later with a Finn Graham shot from 25 yards that flew wide.

Grant Anderson went on a mazy run into the area on 19 minutes but a slight deflection took the sting out of his shot and Smith smothered the ball.

Brechin went closest when a deft head-flick by Jackson scraped beyond the far post.

The visitors threatened again just after the half-hour, Liam Watt setting up Ally Love who saw his effort deflected wide.

A shot from City’s Graham was turned clear before the Blue Toon’s Jamie Redman had an effort cleared off the line.

Brechin could have taken the lead in the 55th minute, Jackson laying the ball into the path of Watt but his well-struck shot was blocked by Smith.

City broke the deadlock on the hour, Willie Dyer pouncing on a weak clearance to find Jackson eight yards out and the striker made no mistake.

Home keeper Smith saved well from Jackson and Graham as Brechin pushed for a second.