Two teams playing good football and giving everything and then the highlight of what was an evenly balance struggle right at the end when Paul McMullan brought the fans to their feet with a superb solo effort to move Stranraer well over the winning line.
Stranraer had struck early. It was in the fourth minute that Mark Crilly's free-kick was picked up by McMullan and his cross was forced into the net by Michael Moore.
A few minutes later Chris Geddes pounced at the other end to force a loose ball home after keeper Allan Morrison had parried Steve Hampshire's drive, but the Brechin man's effort was declared offside.
City were not to be denied however and did draw level in 14 minutes from the penalty spot. Stranraer's Robert Walker clearly impeded Paddy Connolly and Stuart Callaghan rifled home a strong spot-kick.
Both sides then played some neat football for the remainder of the half, but it failed to turn up chances until the final minute of the half when Darren Smith and Connolly both had strong shots well saved.
Stranraer started the second half with sub keeper Scott Black replacing Morrison and Stevie Aitken on in place of Dougie Ramsey and again the home side struck early this time from the penalty spot.
John Ward downed Moore in the box in 50 minutes and David Hamilton stepped forward to put Stranraer ahead again with the spot-kick.
City pressed hard for an equaliser again and both Geddes and David White came close. At the other end Moore forced a fine save from Nelson with a speculative volley, but the visitors came back again strongly and in a crowded goalmouth Smith had two shots blocked as City battled to break down a stubborn home defence.
Then - last-minute drama.
McMullan picked up a crossfield pass deep in his own half and went walkabout clearly intent on holding the ball for the last minute, before going forward and beating no less then six Brechin men as he moved towards their goal and finally slipped the ball past Nelson for a super added time goal.