Brechin City 0 Stranraer 0

Last updated : 14 January 2006 By Footymad Previewer

Relegation rivals Brechin and Stranraer battled their way to a share of the spoils.

Stranraer had the best of things in the first half, and after eight minutes a low drive from Stephen Payne was saved by Craig Nelson.

After 10 minutes Lee Sharp sent in a cross and a stabbed effort from Stephen Swift was saved by Nelson.

Stranraer were out of luck after 19 minutes when Payne sent in a free-kick and Michael Moore had a header tipped on to the post by Nelson. Brechin threatened for the first time after 28 minutes when a David White cross broke to Daniel Grainger, and he drove wide.

Back came Stranraer, and after 36 minutes a Sharp cross fell to Moore on the back post and his shot was well saved by Nelson. Two minutes later Brechin's Alex Burns had a go from 35 yards and Barry-John Corr had to save at his post.

After 56 minutes a Burns free-kick flew inches wide of the Stranraer goal. Two minutes later a Sharp corner to the near post was met by Swift, and his flick went just wide. After 66 minutes Payne had a drive saved by Nelson.

Back came Brechin, and in the 70th minute a David White header from a Stuart Callaghan free-kick was saved by Corr.

The best Brechin chance of the match came after 73 minutes when Steven Hampshire turned superbly on the edge of the box and his dipping drive was tipped over the bar by Corr.

Brechin continued to push for a vital winning goal, and in the 76th minute Hampshire again turned superbly on the edge of the area and this time his shot went just over.