Martin Johnston and Adam Nelson returned tonight to Borough Briggs in Brechin colours and helped fire their new team into the next round of the Challenge Cup.

Elgin started quite well and skipper Hugh Dickson had an effort cleared off the line. But keeper Joe Malin got caught by Johnston trying to dribble out his box and the former fans hero set up Iain Russell to strike the ball home from 25 yards. Johnston also hit the bar and was twice denied by Malin, while headers by Kenny Gilbert and Mark Smith were the only other home attempts of note.

Nelson nearly scored against his old team but Malin beat away his fierce shot. But the visitors were awarded a soft penalty on the hour for a push on Russell and the striker buried the kick into the corner of the net to make it 2-0. Neil Janczyk's screamer added to the tally, and it was inevitable that Johnston would mark his return with a goal. It came on 74 minutes, a tremendous overhead kick from a Nelson cross after Stuart Callaghan had hit the bar. A well beaten home team managed a late consolation, a cracking long range effort from Mark Nicolson.

Elgin City: Joe Malin, Craig Campbell (Martin Charlesworth 75), Mark Nicolson, David Hind, Hugh Dickson, Kenny Gilbert, Ross O'Donoghue (Andy Lewis 75), Paul Kaczan, Craig Frizzell, Mark Smith, David Ross (Kevin Duguid 75). Subs: M.Dunn, S.Dunn.

Brechin City: McCluskey, Walker, Callaghan, Ward (Byers 45), White, Walker, Janczyk, A.Nelson (Geddes 75), Johnston, Russell (C.Smith 71),D.Smith. Subs: King, C.Nelson.

Referee: C.Mackay

All photos courtesy of The Lours