PARS 4 Brechin City 0

THE Pars inched closer to confirming a promotion play-off place as they coasted past Brechin City thanks to the impressive Fraser Aird.

The born-again winger scored a stunner in-between assisting Lee Ashcroft and Andy Ryan, and Kallum Higginbotham added a fourth from the spot as the hosts comfortably walked away with three points.

Allan Johnston was forced into one change for the clash with Tom Beadling dropping out through injury to fellow loanee James Vincent.

That was until captain Callum Morris picked up a knock in the warm-up with Jean Yves-Mvoto deputising in his place, and Nicky Clark picking up the armband.

Pars made a dream start after just 2 minutes when a wicked corner from Fraser Aird was met flush on the volley by Lee Ashcroft.

The defender couldn’t have caught it cleaner as the ball flew past Graeme Smith in the opposition goal, scoring his fourth of the season - his second against Brechin this campaign.

Kallum Higginbotham instrumented a good chance for Clark down the right but his header was high from eight yards out.

It was only the nous of City’s experienced full-back Willie Dyer that prevented a second.

Aird’s ball across the line of the penalty spot was dummied by Clark and Higginbotham’s controlled effort was cleared off the goal-line by Dyer with Smith beaten.

Euan Smith and Declan McManus spent a few seconds peeling each other’s shirts from their backs as a ball over the top had the striker in pursuit. Smith done well to throw him off balance as hit shot skewed well wide as his goal drought continued.

It was not a question of if, but when would the Pars make it two; Fraser Aird held the answer to that.

In a similar fashion to his earlier goal of the season contender against Livingston at East End Park in October, Aird got the home support on their feet with a stunning strike on 25 minutes.

After carrying the ball forward ten yards, he shifted his body weight – fooling the defender – and curled home a cracking finish from 20 yards out into the far corner of the goal to make it two goals from two for the Canadian winger.

Darren Dods’ men were given a clear-cut chance to pull one back after a mistake from Vincent in the middle of the park.

He was dispossessed, and City led a three v two break which finished with Jordan Sinclair stinging the palms of Lee Robinson from the right-hand side of the Pars box.

At the other end Graeme Smith pulled off a good stop to deny James Craigen six minutes before the break as Johnston’s men went in at half-time two goals to the good.

Brechin started the second half with more gusto but Athletic’s supporters were lifted from their seats once again as Craigen hit the net.

After Clark failed to capitalise of a break of the ball in the box, the ball then fell to Craigen who poked a shot towards goal. Many of the ground thought it was in, but it was the side-netting only.

Johnston and his men were given a scare on 56 minutes when lone striker Isaac Layne cracked the far post after turning on the edge of the area as the visitors looked to claw their way back into the game.

Referee John McKendrick ignored claims for a home penalty on 69 minutes after Andy Ryan waltzed past a Brechin defender being grounded by away stopper Graeme Smith.

Frustration soon turned to delight for Ryan as he headed home his side’s third two minutes later into the bottom corner of Smith’s net after another cross from the impressive Aird.

McKendrick had no trouble pointing to the spot on 87 minutes as went substitute Dan Armstrong went down under a clumsy challenge from Dyer. Higginbotham stepped up and sent Smith the wrong way to seal the rout.

PARS: Robinson, Williamson, M’Voto, Ashcroft, Martin, Higginbotham, Craigen, Vincent (Cardle, 74), Aird, Clark (Armstrong, 70), McManus (Ryan, 53)
Subs not used: Gill, Shiels, Wedderburn, Talbot.
Goals: Ashcroft (2), Aird (25), Ryan (71), Higginbotham (87).

Brechin: Smith, Spark, Crighton, Smith, Dyer, Graham (Lynas, 62), Sinclair (Morrison, 79), Dale, Tapping, Orsi (Mackin, 62), Layne.
Subs not used: O’Neil, Watt, Morrison, Costello.
Booked: Mackin.

Referee: John McKendrick
Attendance: 4,898.