Back then nobody would have guessed that it would be more than a decade an a half before City recorded their first victory at the North Lanarkshire venue.

Frankly, however, while its been a long 16 years, the win, when it eventually arrived, was well worth waiting on.

City were without the working Jon Seeley. Alex Walker of Greenock Morton took his role in the heart of the City rear-guard and there was a welcome return too for goalkeeper Craig Nelson, although that decision must have been one of Jim Duffy's toughest since arriving at Glebe Park a year ago, given young David Scott's midweek performance against Ayr United.

Craig Nelson was to be tested just twice in this game. His first save came just 40 seconds into the game when he comfortably held a Sawyers low drive.

At the other end, Charlie King had Clyde goalkeeper Callum Reidford in a flap as he closed him down outside the penalty area and the goalkeeper conceded a throw under pressure.

City steadily, rather than sharply, grew in confidence and Gary Fusco fired well over from 25 yards.

The Clyde goal then enjoyed a series of fortunate escapes. First Mark Docherty had his shot from 12 yards blocked as it headed goalwards, then Kevin Byers' drive from the rebound was deflected for a corner. From King's corner, Paul McLean glanced his header wide of the upright.

Clyde's Willie McLachlan was the first of a number of players to be cautioned. A needless booking for failing to go back ten yards after City won a free-kick.

City then had the ball in the net when Docherty went up for a cross with Reidford and the ball broke to McAllister who fired it home.

However, Docherty was penalised for breathing the wrong way on the goalkeeper.

Fusco went close again when he won a biting tackle and burst through, his crisply struck low effort being held by Reidford at his near post.

On the half hour mark, City's efforts at putting the home side under pressure were further rewarded.

Reidford grabbed the ball a good few yards outside his penalty box and referee Tony Law showed him an immediate red card.

Scott Findlay came on to go in goal and Willie McLachlan was the unfortunate player to be "hooked" after the goalie's dismissal. Neil Janczyk's free-kick was deflected past the post for a corner.

Janczyk was booked for a challenge on the touch-line as the card happy referee started to brandish more cautions than a traffic warden in Clerk Street.

City finally made the breakthough in the 37th minute when McAllister and King linked up well on the left side of the Clyde box.

The big striker steadied himself before lifting a very clever lob over the goalkeeper for his 17th goal of the season.

McAllister sent in a great delivery from the right flank which whizzed past the Clyde six-yard box. But there were no takers for a ball which simply needed to be prodded home.

Shortly before the interval, ref Anthony Law harshly handed Paul McLean a yellow card for a foul on Strachan 25 yards from goal.

Talk amongst Brechin City supporters at half-time was of their hopes their side may manage to grab an early goal.

It duly arrived just two minutes into the second half. McAllister turned provider when he found Mark Docherty in space to the left of the penalty spot and fired home an excellent strike.

Docherty almost made it three shortly afterwards. However, he fired just wide of the target after McAllister fired in a great cross from the right flank.

Brechin killed the game off in the 55th minute and it was no more than the hard working Gary Fusco deserved.

Fusco's work on behalf of this City side often goes without reward. However, his clinically struck effort from 22 yards out gave Findlay no chance as it nestled in the corner of the net.

It was all Brechin and for a period there was no let up as they passed the ball confidently in the manner of a training session.

Levin Byers almost made it four when he cut in from the right, but his curling shot swung just wide of the target.

In the 75th minute, Craig Nelson, produced his only save of the second half when he got down to block John Stewart's strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Tommy Sheridan look alike, Anthony Law, once again failed to endear himself to the City travelling supporters when he booked Ian Harty for his first tackle, after the veteran had replaced Charlie King.

City excelled and ran out thoroughly convincing winners. Alex Walker was a very able replacement for Seeley in defence.

While the big defender will be more stretched in forthcoming games, his reading of the game was confident throughout.

In midfield, Fusco and Docherty were the pick of the side and one of the biggest mysteries in the country must be why Rory McAllister is still a Brechin player.

The striker scored one, made one, was a constant nuisance to the home defence and was the man-of-the-match by a stretch.

Clyde - Reidford, Park, Neil McGowan, Kinniburgh, Lithgow, Wilson, Cassidy (Findlay), McLachlan, John Stewart, Sawyers (Howarth) and Strachan (Higgins).

Brechin City - Nelson, Richard Walker, Dyer, McLean, Alexander Walker, Janczyk (Canning), Byers, Fusco, McAllister (Nimmo), King (Harty) and Docherty.

Referee - Anthony Law; crowd - 623.