Super sub Duncan McLean was the hero for Arbroath with a last minute equaliser to ensure that the Angus derby ended level.
The game was only six minutes old when Brechin opened the scoring. Graham Gibson skipped past Chris McLeod on the left wing and his low cross was slid home by Paul Ritchie.
Shortly afterwards Brechin nearly doubled their lead when Scott Walker headed a corner down to Ritchie, but Kevin McMullen cleared his effort off the line.
Prolific striker Chris Templeman then did well to turn McLeod in the area, but his powerful shot flashed just wide.
The second half started at a better pace than the first , and after 47 minutes Gibson went close with a low shot after latching on to a long Steven Hamilton throw and surging into the box.
Arbroath responded well to the scare and Greig Henslee fired wide from a McMullen cutback. Craig Nelson then did well to save a Gavin Swankie free-kick before diving to block Alan Brazil's shot on the rebound.
The home side finally turned their chances into a goal when Swankie found Brazil who gave McMullen the chance to head home.
However, only three minutes later Brechin re-took the lead when Gibson headed home from Templeman's cross.
Despite that setback, Arbroath were not to be denied and a rousing finish saw McLean heading home a Brazil cross right on full-time.