Brechin 3-1 Arbroath

Sep 14 2008 John Hoey Reports

BOSS Michael O'Neill branded his City side lucky to pick up a win against 10-man Arbroath.

Sub Calum Smith came off the bench to fire Brechin to victory with two goals in seven minutes but the gafferwas less than impressed.

O'Neill said: "We made basic mistakes and that's as poor as we've played all year.

"We have to count ourselves fortunate to have won."

Brechin led in 24 minutes when Kevin Byers calmly rounded keeper Darren Hill to net.

Paul Tosh was red carded in 34 minutes for dissent after claiming Paul Lunan's header crossed the line.

Scott Gates gave the away side a deserved equaliser in the 57th minute but Smith soon won it for City with goals in the 67th and 74th minutes.

Arbroath manager John McGlashan said: "We didn't get any of the big calls today, especially in the first half.

"But I have no complaints about the effort of the players."