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CITY grabbed a 2-1 victory against stuffy visitors Montrose to secure an Irn-Bru Third Division play-off place after 12 seasons of asking.
Nearest rivals Annan Athletic went down at home to Peterhead to ensure the Black and Whites a promotion crack against Forfar Athletic or Albion Rovers with a game to spare.
It may have been a lot less convincing a scoreline than City's second biggest Borough Briggs crowd of the season had been hoping for but, having clinched an historic play-off slot, the quest to get out of the bottom tier is now tantalisingly close.
City made three changes to the side which started the 3-3 draw at Berwick, with Zander Clark returning between the sticks after serving a two-game suspension.
Archie MacPhee and Stuart Leslie were also restored as the Black and Whites looked for the win that could clinch the final play-off slot.
And, after a tentative opening spell, top scorer Craig Gunn settled the nerves with the opener 10 minutes before the break to give City a deserved half-time lead.
Archie MacPhee fired City further ahead 11 minutes into the second half, but the Gable Endies pulled one back 15 minutes from time to make it a nervy finish for the home fans.
Elgin started briskly, although their first real chance didn't arrive until 18 minutes when Niven played in Cooper, but the midfielder's powerful parting shot flashed just wide of the target.
Another great chance fell the way of the hosts in 26 minutes when Millar got on the end of Gunn's cross, but the big striker's header was tipped over the bar by keeper Wood.
City were in control of things without dominating until Craig GUNN made the breakthrough in 35 minutes. The Black and Whites' striker still had work to do after collecting Leslie's pass but, confronted by two defenders, Gunn cleverly curled a 20-yarder high over Wood and into the top left corner for his 21st goal of the season.
It was no more than City deserved and, after a flurry of bookings early in the second half, the home side grabbed what proved to be a crucial second goal in 56 minutes.
Brian Cameron swung over a low cross into the box which Millar flicked on to Archie MacPHEE and the attacking defender made no mistake with a powerful finish to put City 2-0 ahead.
That should have been enough to see City through for a comfortable win, but the visitors pulled a goal back in 75 minutes to set up a tense finish. McPhee's cross into the box found Martin BOYLE off a City head and the striker had time and space to reduce City's lead.
Montrose made things uncomfortable for City after that, but the defence held firm and the Black and Whites had chances themselves to add to their tally and post a more realistic scoreline.
Elgin City – Clark, Niven, MacPhee, Durnan, Duff, Leslie (Beveridge 72), Gunn, Cameron, Millar (Crooks 67), Nicolson, Cooper. Subs not used – Calder, McMullan, McLean.
Montrose – A Wood, McNalley, Campbell, Crawford, Cameron (Smart 83), Masson (McPhee 71), Lunan, Winter, Young (Johnston 61), Boyle, Wood. Subs not used - Andrews.
Ref – A Dallas.
Att – 901.
(Match report by Louise Shaw). |
