City's recent run has now taken them to within a single point of fourth-placed Alloa. However, they were made to work for the points at the weekend.

The threat of a relegation tussle meant that City's opponents proved particularly tough nuts to crack on the day and, had luck gone the other way, City could have left Central Park empty handed.

Cowdenbeath fought hard and belied the somewhat poor home form which has now seen them lose six straight matches.

Indeed, they went agonisingly close twice in the space of as many minutes late in the game. First Dougie Hill saw a header come back off the underneath of the crossbar on 75 minutes, and then Jon Robertson failed to capitalise on an open goal after Craig Nelson had stopped a Paul McQuade cross.

The Fife side were left to rue those golden opportunities when City delivered a quick-fire double whammy of their own.

On 82 minutes Darren Smith broke the deadlock when he connected with Iain Diack's cross 12 yards out and fired home.

Then with five minutes remaining Adam Nelson put the three points beyond doubt when he slotted home a nice effort.

Cowdenbeath - Hay, Shanks, Gilfillan (Drough 86), Hill, Adamson, Mark Ramsey, Robertson, Tomana (O'Neil 67), Gates, Dempster (McLaughlin 67), McQuade. Not used - McBride, Allison.

Brechin - C. Nelson, R. Walker, Ward, S. Walker, Dyer, N. Walker, A. Nelson, King, D. Smith, Paton (Diack 60), C. Smith (Fusco 60). Not used - White, Janczyk, McCluskey.
Attendance - 259.
Referee - S. Conroy.