'Points all that matter' as Scott Shepherd guides Edinburgh City to victory at Elgin

Scott Shepherd’s first-half strike ensured a 1-0 victory for Edinburgh City over Elgin at Borough Briggs.

Victory in Morayshire was the Citizens’ fifth successive Ladbrokes League Two win since the 2-1 defeat by Queen’s Park at Hampden at the end of November, a result that keeps them within two points of leaders Cove Rangers, who ran out comfortable 5-1 winners at bottom side Brechin.

Former Falkirk frontman Shepherd struck in the 27th minute, a well-placed effort into the bottom right corner following a well-worked move.

Debutant goalkeeper Alan Martin, who completed his move from Lowland League champions East Kilbride last week, denied Shane Sutherland when straight through on the hour mark.

“If I am honest, I thought Elgin were the better side on the ball but all I’m really worried about is my team and I felt we scored a really good goal,” City manager James McDonaugh said. “But I also think the application, energy and the work we put into the match merited us the three points.

“Alan’s had a good debut too. It’s a clean sheet and he’s shown a good safe pair of hands. If you want to do well you’ve got to go to places like Elgin and pick up points. We had to withstand a fair bit of pressure but the boys really earned the three points.”

Martin, 31, said: “It took a while to get the deal sorted but I’m delighted to be here. It was a bit of a bombardment in the second half. But we’ll take scrappy wins all day long, getting the points is all that matters.

“That was my first match in 13 weeks. There’s a good back four in front of me so it makes my job a lot easier. But making a couple of saves certainly boosts your confidence.”

Elgin City: McHale, Wilson (McHardy 50), Cooper, Bronsky, Harper, Omar (MacKay 68), Cameron, MacEwan, O’Keefe (Dingwall 78), Hester, Sutherland. Subs: Sopel, Loveland, Dunn.

Edinburgh City: Martin, Thomson, Balatoni, Wilson, L Henderson, Handling, Brown (Kane 69), Laird, Harris (Stewart 65), Smith (Court 78), Shepherd. Subs: Beveridge, Newman, Hall, Shaw.

Referee: Grant Irvine.

Attendance: 675.