Brechin City 1 Stirling Albion 0

Last updated : 11 December 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Brechin eased their way into the third round of the Scottish Cup with a narrow but deserved victory over Stirling Albion.

Brechin made the early running and after seven minutes Paul Ritchie headed the ball down and Craig Winter shot against keeper Myles Hogarth.

A minute later, Steven Hampshire pulled the ball back from the by-line and Ritchie shot wide of the near post.

Stirling had a chance after 10 minutes when Martin Glancy took advantage of a mistake by David White, but Craig Nelson saved with his feet.

Back came Brechin and after 18 minutes Ritchie headed on for Graham Gibson to shoot just wide of the post.

Five minutes later a Winter snap shot was saved by Hogarth.

The breakthrough came afte 30 minutes when Steve Hamilton crossed from the right and Ritchie rose to head powerfully home.

Stirling hit back immediately and Scott McLean shot just wide of the post.

Back came Brechin and Hampshire shot over from a good postition after 37 minutes.

Stirling had a good spell at the start of the second half and Scott McLean had a shot on the turn saved by Nelson.

Brechin might have streteched their lead after 64 minutes when Scott Walker had a header saved by Hogarth and Ritchie just failed to force home the rebound.

A drive from McLean was brilliantly saved by Nelson, then in the 81st minute a shot through a crowd of players by McLean was again held by the goalkeeper.

Stirling had their last chance in the 84th minute when substitute David O'Brien popped up on the far post to meet a cross, but Nelson pulled off a vital save to ensure his side were in the third round draw.