It didn't take too long for newly-crowned champions Gretna to assert themselves in the match as they opened the scoring with the first attack of the game. Steve Tosh showed great vision to pick out Ryan Baldacchino, who sent in a teasing cross for man-of-the-moment Kenny Deuchar who headed past a helpless Kieron Renton to score his sixth against Elgin this season.
Elgin stunned the men from the border by hitting back inside a matter of minutes. Baldacchino was robbed in the middle of the park, allowing Martin Harty to set William Martin free and the City talisman shrugged off challenges before coolly slotting the ball under keeper Alan Main.
The match was turning out to be a bit of a goalfest as Gretna found themselves back in front after a superb team move. Tosh picked up the ball just outside the Elgin area before feeding Baldacchino, whose touch laid the ball on a plate for David Bingham who, with the drop of a shoulder, had time to pick his spot and find the back of the net, sending Renton the wrong way.
Gretna hit Elgin with a sucker punch by increasing their lead in stoppage time of the first half. Elgin failed to react to a quick throw on the right, and as a result Bingham was able to pick out Gavin Skelton on the overlap and the winger took his time before slamming the ball past an exposed Renton.
Elgin started the second half in the same way they started the first, by allowing Gretna to score with their first attack. Skelton and Deuchar combined well by teasing and tormenting the City rearguard before creating the opportunity for Bingham, who took full advantage to beat Renton from 25 yards.
Gretna made it five a few minutes later as once again sloppy defending cost City dear. Bingham was allowed to sneak in behind the defence and, as Renton closed in on the former Callie hit man, he was just able to claw the ball into the back of the net with the aid of a deflection, completing his hat-trick.
Gretna were given the chance to make it six, and four for Bingham, when they were awarded a penalty. The referee saw an infraction in the City area, but many felt justice was done as Bingham's poor effort was easily gathered by Renton.
From the resulting clearance Elgin hit Gretna on the counter attack. Outnumbering them two to one, Adam Nelson unselfishly laid the ball on for Martin who struck it beneath Main for his and City's second.
Skelton picked out Mark Birch, but the defender saw his effort cannon back off the post. But Gretna finally made it six when substitute Derek Townsley had the easiest of tasks as he ghosted in at the rear post to flick Baldacchino's corner beyond a stranded Renton.