Brechin City moved up to fourth place in the Scottish League One table and extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches after a deserved 2-1 victory over Ayr United at Glebe Park.
Paul McLean, who was making his 200th start for the side, grabbed the opening goal after 16 minutes and substitute Robert Thomson doubled City’s lead 11 minutes from time, with Ayr’s Alan Forrest grabbing a consolation goal in the final minute.
City boss Ray McKinnon was clearly delighted at the end of the 90 minutes.
“We were excellent in the first half and created a lot of chances and, to be honest, if we’d taken all of the opportunities that we created during that opening period then the game would have been over.”
“We were maybe not at our best after the break and it was just a matter of seeing the game out to make sure we collected all three points but, at the end of the day, I thought we won quite comfortably and I don’t think anyone would begrudge us our victory.”
“It was so pleasing that Paul scored the opening goal on his 200th start for the side.
“I’m really delighted that he got the recognition he deserves and it was fantastic that he marked the occasion with a great goal.”
McLean’s goal came after 16 minutes when he blasted home a superb drive after Alan Trouten had flicked a Bobby Barr cross into his path and although City continued to dominate for the rest of that half they couldn’t add to their tally.
Ayr battled hard after the break without creating anything clear-cut in front of goal and City wrapped up the points with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Robert Thomson collected a short pass from Trouten and cut in on the Ayr goal before sending a delightful lob past keeper David Hutton into the top corner of the net.
The Honest Men battled on and an Alan Forrest close-range drive brought them a consolation goal in the final minute.