The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
City hit back to earn record
Brechin City 1 Dunfermline 1
BRECHIN STORMED back from the loss of a first-minute goal to earn a draw and establish a club record 16 successive unbeaten league games.
Dunfermline were desperate for a win to boost their League One play-off hopes and took the lead after 34 seconds. Lewis A llan broke on the left and when his cross was cleared, Josh Falkingham smashed home a volley from 25 yards.
Brechin might have been level on eight minutes. Robert Thomson ran at the Pars defence and Lewis Martin knocked the ball against his own crossbar.
On 11 minutes a netbound volley from Colin Hamilton was blocked by a Dunfermline defender.
The visitors hit back and a Michael Moffat header was saved by Graeme Smith.
Ten minutes from half-time, a fierce drive from Bobby Barr was parried by Ryan Scully.
Brechin began the second half well and equalised on 58 minutes. A Barr free-kick fell for Paul McLean and he shot home at the far post.
The home side dominated and Ryan Ferguson shot over under pressure.
On 71 minutes, McLean headed wide from a Barr corner.
Dunfermline were also dangerous and eight minutes from time Smith saved at the feet of Falkingham.
Brechin went so close to taking the lead on 86 minutes when a back-header from Thomson came back off the bar.
A minute later, Thomson headed wide from an A ndy Jackson cross.
In stoppage-time, Hamilton drove over, then Gerry McLaughlan headed wide from a last-gasp chance.
Brechin boss Ray McKinnon said: “I was a bit afraid when we lost the early goal. I felt our run of games might be catching up with us.
“We were the better team over the 90 minutes and the least we deserved was a point.
“My team showed great character to draw and it could have been more.
“Sixteen games unbeaten is an incredible record in the most competitive league in Scotland.”
Dunfermline manager John Potter said: “I am disappointed to draw after getting ourselves in front.
“We caused them problems in the first half, but in the second we could not get out.
“We kept giving away silly free-kicks and one of them cost us a goal.”