Alloa Athletic 2 Brechin City 2

Last updated : 30 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Alloa and Brechin City shared the points in a hard fought, exciting match at Recreation Park.

Brechin City started the match the stronger side and in the third minute had the Alloa defence under pressure when Chris Templeman beat two defenders on the right, crossed the ball and Graeme Gibson's fierce shot cannoned off the bar back into play to be cleared by Michael Daly.

Alloa worked their way back into the match and City keeper Craig Nelson had to pull off saves from Stuart Callaghan and Richard Walker in the space of two minutes.

Alloa took a well deserved lead in the 18th minute when Andy Brown outjumped the Brechin defence to head home from a James Stevenson corner kick. Michael Daly had a golden opportunity to extend Alloa's lead in the 30th minute but his shot from seven yards went over the bar.

Paul Ritchie equalised for Brechin on the stroke of half time when he fired a fierce effort across goal from a tight angle and Alloa's keeper failed to hold the shot and the ball slivered into the net.

Brechin were the stronger side at the start of the second half and deservedly took the lead in the 71st minute when Templeman rifled in a fierce shot from 18 yards after a Kevin Byers cross.

Alloa's players and fans thought they had equalised in the 76th minute when Andy Brown headed home, but referee Melvill disallowed the goal judging that Brown had fouled a defender getting to the ball.

This revived Alloa's hopes and their pressure paid off in the 89th minute when they equalised from a powerful Callaghan shot that left Craig Nelson in the Brechin City goal helpless.

A draw in this match was a fair result.