BRECHIN manager Michael O’Neill praised his side after they hauled themselves back into the play-off picture with a 5-0 hammering of bottom side Berwick.

He said, “It was a game we knew we had to win or we could kiss goodbye to the play-offs.

“Conditions were difficult and it was vital we got the first goal, playing against the wind.

“We scored two good goals in the first half, then in the second half we continued to play some good stuff and scored three more.

“It was another clean sheet as well and that is something we try to work on.

“We had five different goalscorers and that shows we are a very attacking team.

“Our midfield was packed with skill with guys like Darren Smith, Kevin Byers and Charlie King and Adam Nelson in particular was outstanding.

“There are goals in our team. It was unfortunate the two front boys, (Iain Diack and Michael Paton) didn’t score as they both did well, but it is nice when the goals are shared around.

“Calum Smith managed to nick one when he went on and we could have had more.

“We knew we needed to score to get on top of Berwick as they didn’t have much to play for.”

Brechin took the lead in 24 minutes when Paton raced down the left and crossed for Byers to set up Darren Smith to score from the edge of the box. Three minutes later, King set up Adam Nelson to score from 20 yards.

Two minutes into the second half, John Ward headed home a Byers corner, then in 66 minutes, King drilled home a free-kick for 4-0.

Substitute Calum Smith completed the rout seven minutes from time after good work by fellow sub Nicky Walker.

Brechin were denied a penalty four minutes from half-time when King was flattened in the box, but the manager was philosophical about the incident.

“From where I was it was a blatant penalty, but it didn’t affect the result so we won’t say too much about it.

“Peterhead lost and Alloa drew, so other results have gone our way.

“We now face Cowdenbeath who are fighting for their lives. If we can go there and win we could be right back in it.

“We lost a bit of momentum when we lost to Ross County, but we are back on track and we are are capable of winning all our remaining games. We have nothing to fear and we believe we can do it.’’

RAITH ROVERS came back from two down at Ross County to beat the leaders by the odd goal in five.

The match centred on a dramatic 10-minute first-half spell.

County’s Andy Barrowman opened the scoring on 18 minutes and two minutes later Martin Scott stretched that advantage.

However, David Templeton quickly reduced the arrears and David Goodwillie levelled on 29 minutes.

Goodwillie snatched the winner midway through the second period.

“We showed tremendous character to bounce back from two goals down,’’ reflected Raith boss John McGlynn.

“They have scored a good first couple of goals and got in front but we came back and played very well.

“In the second half we dominated and put them under a lot of pressure, when they did attack we defended quite well.

“It’s a great result at a place like this and a good day all round as Peterhead have lost ground.”