Michael O'Neill mae a few changes to his side, with John Ward, back playing his first game in months after a long lay-off due to injury. Willie Dyer also gained his first start as a signed City player with Scott Walker and Stuart Callaghan dropping onto the bench.

In midfield, there was also a welcome return for Neil Janczyk, who took over the anchor role in midfield, replacing Adam Nelson. In the forward line, on-loan Michael Paton, replaced Calum Smith.

City's start to the game was sharp and determined and having put Peterhead under considerable pressure in the opening few minutes, they were rewarded after 10 minutes when Charlie King picked up possession and cut open the heart of the visitor's defence with a well-weighted through ball for Michael Paton to steady himself before expertly drilling the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

Peterhead replied with Rory McAllister and Martin Bavidge shooting wildly over the bar, the latter from a good position. City continued to threaten with King prominent in almost every positive foray into the Peterhead half.

The only surprise was that it took City another 26 minutes before they increased their lead. This was a goal worth waiting on however. John Ward launched a cross into the box and in one movement Charlie King turned Bobby Mann inside out and swerved around before picking his spot.

A great through ball from Janczyk picked out Kevin Byers on the right flank and he managed to put King away down the right flank, his cut back from the dead ball line ran along the six yard line with the visitor's defence all at sea once again, but, there were no takers.

The half-time whistle sounded with City having a 2-0 lead, which was the least they deserved for a convincing first half display and a performance that could have merited an even more substantial lead.

What occured at the start of the second half probably hasn hasn't been witnessed at Glebe Park since league football was first played there in 1926. FIFA referee, Calum Murray started the game, however it appeared that he, the entire Peterhead team and probably the Brechin one as well hadn't noticed the fact that the Peterhead goalkeeper hadn't reappeared for the second period. Once big Polish stopper, Michal Kula, did make his way on to the pitch, he was greeted by something of an ironic cheer from the crowd!

Only a last gasp tackle from Bobby Mann prevented Paton from racing clear after good work from Fusco and Darren Smith in the City midfield. The big pivot got in a last-gasp tackle as the young striket attempted to escape his clutches.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, City were 3-0 up and once again it was good twin striker play that brought about the goal. Michael Paton picked out Charlie King with a well placed header and the City striker side-stepped a tackle, before giving Kula no chance.

Brechin really should have notched a fourth after good approach work from Darren Smith on the left flank. Charlie King's drive was blocked and the ball broke to Kevin Byers, who also had a net bound effort blocked by a despairing lunge by a posse of Peterhead defenders.

Peterhead were thrown a lifeline in the 71st minute when the Referee ajudged that a City hand had been used to control the ball inside the penalty area. Bobby Mann stepped up to take the kick and was fortunate to make a good connection, with Nelson making a valiant effort to save the spot-kick at his right-hand post

With 16 minutes left, City suffered a blow when defender, Davie Murie was bundled into an advertising hoarding by a Peterhead attacker and had to be taken off with a shoulder injury. This resulted in the only period of the game in which Peterhead showed any kind of consistent threat.

Brechin stood firm however, and Charlie King underlined his credentials for a Man of the Match performance when he headed a net bound header from Peterhead substitute Konrad Kozminski.

This is the sort of performance Brechin will require in the week's ahead if they are to have aspirations of the play-offs at the right end of the table. And a defeat can make the prospect of the play-offs at the other still a reality. So everything to play for.

Brechin: Craig Nelson, Murie (Richard Walker 74), Ward, White, Dyer, Byers, Fusco, Janczyk, Darren Smith, Paton, King. Subs Not Used: Calum Smith, Scott Walker, Stuart Callaghan, McCluskey.

Peterhead: Kula, Donald, Mann, MacDonald, McKay, Sharp, Buchan, Cowie (Kozminski 60), Mackay, Bavidge (Bagshaw 82), McAllister. Subs Not Used: Donnie Munro, Anderson, Bruce.