While Dundee played their strongest side, City kept a few of their key players on the bench such as Kevin Byers, Darren Smith and Grant Johnson. New signing Ross Archibald, who played as a trialist against Spartans and Montrose, started on the bench while Steven Ferguson made his first appearance in a City shirt since returning from his loan spell at Dumbarton.
It was as early as the first minute when City first threatened when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Stuart Callaghan's free kick deflected off the wall but the ball went straight into the arms of Ludovic Roy in the Dundee goal.
Dundee had a chance just minutes later when Stuart Ferguson lost possession cheaply to Ross Harris, who created a chance for Tam McManus to curl wide.
City failed to clear their lines after a corner and the ball fell to left back Paul Dixon outside the box but his powerful shot just went wide of the near post.
Dundee's first shot on target came on the half hour mark when Tam McManus had a drive comfortably saved by John Hillcoat.
City's best chance of the game occurred just before the break when Scott Walker flighted a ball forward for Iain Russell, who held the ball up before cutting the ball back for Steven Hampshire but his powerful shot was well saved by Ludo Roy.
The game could be described as a typical pre-season match and the second half was even more uneventful than the first, with neither side creating any real chances.
A draw looked the most likely outcome but Dundee netted a late winner eight minutes from time. Paul Dixon's inviting cross was met by the outstretched Kevin McDonald who pocked the ball past John Hillcoat.
Overall, a good workout against a very strong Dundee side. City's defence looked solid before they were caught out with the goal near the end but very few chances were created upfront.
Brechin:- Hillcoat, McEwan (Archibald 77), Stuart Ferguson, Ward, White, Walker, Devlin (Byers 58), Steven Ferguson (Johnson 75), Callaghan (Smith 58), Russell (Geddes 72), Hampshire (Connolly 62).
Dundee:- Roy, Griffin, Dixon, Rae, MacKenzie (C McDonald 84), Mann, Harris (Robertson 66), K McDonald, McLaren (Shevlin 53), McManus (Swankie 58), Gates (Deasley 75).