Brechin City6–0Dumbarton

ANY notion that an under strength Brechin City might be easy pickings after midweek Scottish Cup exertions against SPL St Johnstone were soon dispelled at Glebe Park on a chilly afternoon — as Dumbarton sunk to a crushing 6-0 defeat.

Interim manager Alan Adamson said: "I would apologise to the fans who travelled for our second half performance. They put their hard earned money towards following us and what they got in the second half was completely unacceptable. In the dressing room after the game was the first time I have had to raise my voice since I became interim manager."

Both sides started with physical determination on a battered playing surface. But the home side were quickest on the offensive, and on 7 minutes a goalmouth scramble in Dumbarton's area led to Brechin striker David McKenna placing a dipping header over Stephen Grindlay — who did well to get a hand to the ball, but could not quite keep it out. 1-0 to the Hedgemen.

Sons had a good chance to equalise minutes later. However, big Jon McShane's effort brought out a fine save from Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal. The football traffic then flowed mostly in favour of the home side up to the half hour.

Near to half time, Sons' Mark Gilhaney struck over the bar following a good move through the centre and a series of free kicks. But although they were pushing back solidly, Dumbarton could not find the necessary bite in the final third.

Minutes before the break a defensive slip up almost put Brechin through for a second goal, but the Sons back line and 'keeper recovered well.

The second period started in the worst possible way for Dumbarton, with Jamie Redman putting Brechin 2-0 up. His low, driving shot past Grindlay came just half a minute after the restart, as Sons reeled from a speedy attack.

The prolific Rory McAllister then increased the visitors' misery by making it three for the home side on 52 minutes, with another polished strike.

Andy Geggan could have pulled one back for Sons on the hour, after Jon McShane caught Brechin 'keeper Nelson off his line on the edge of the area and squared back a good, angled ball that the number 8 snatched at and ratcheted over the bar with two defenders on the goaline to beat.

But as the match drew to a close things only got worse for Dumbarton. On 79 minutes, McKenna added a fourth with his second goal of the match. The fifth Brechin goal came from Mitchel Megginson (83 minutes) after a corner, before McKenna completed his hat-trick for the sixth two minutes later.

Sons had a couple of attempts at claiming at least one goal back, but there was to be no consolation on a cheerless afternoon.

Dumbarton now head into a crucial midweek away match against Stenhousemuir on Tuesday March 29, looking for a revival of fortunes, and more points to help secure safety in the Second Division.