The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brechin run leaders close after early goal
ST MIRREN 1 BRECHIN CITY 0
Championship leaders St Mirren extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points following a narrow victory over Brechin City at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
The only goal of the game came after quarter-of-an-hour when Kyle Magennis fired home a superb 20-yard free-kick which crashed off the underside of the bar before bouncing off the back of City keeper Paddy O’Neil and rolling into the net.
The home side continued in the ascendancy in those early stages with both Cammy Smith and Stephen McGinn coming close to adding to the scoreline before they were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute after Harry Davis was brought down in the box by City debutant Kostadin Gadzhalov, who joined the club on-loan from Dundee last week.
O’Neil performed brilliantly to tip away Ian McShane’s spot-kick.
Saints continued to dominate for the remainder of the half with both Cammy Smith and Liam Smith coming close to extending their team’s lead.
Given the home team’s almost total domination during the opening 45 minutes it looked as if more of the same would be on the cards in the second-half. However, City rolled up their sleeves and made the match much more competitive and evenly balanced.
The first chance of the second half came Saints’ way within the first three minutes when Cammy Smith picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and pushed his way forward before unleashing a tremendous strike which skimmed the top of the crossbar.
City, though, were desperately unlucky not to level the match three minutes later when Liam Watt deftly twisted and turned at the edge of the box before firing in a tremendous drive which cannoned back off the post with home keeper Craig Samson stranded.
They were again unfortunate not to equalise in the 74th minute when Dylan Mackin held off a couple of challenges at the edge of the box before drilling in a low drive which Samson was at full stretch to save.
Manager Darren Dods said: “We didn’t start the game well and we knew that St Mirren would come at us after their result against Livingston last week.
“We told the players to be ready but we didn’t get started and stood off them too much.
“We found ourselves 1-0 down and then the penalty save keeps us in the match.
“We’re 1-0 down at half-time and then the game changed in the second-half.
“St Mirren maybe began to feel the pressure being at the top of the league while we’re under no pressure and can have a real go.
“Our confidence began to grow and we showed that when we get the ball and are composed on it, we can cause teams problems.
“Liam Watt was really unlucky to see his shot come back off the post while Dylan Mackin was also unlucky not to score, so, despite the defeat, we can take positives from the match and look to go again against Dunfermline on Tuesday night.”
● Morton moved above Dundee United into third in the table after winning 2-0 away at Inverness.
Scott Tiffoney and Gary Harkins netted the goals for Jim Duffy’s side.