Two spot kicks from penalty ace Mike Jack saw Annan through to the 2nd round of the Alba Cup in a tight contest with little to choose between the teams where scoring opportunities were at a premium.
Phil Storey’s 10th minute low strike was heading for the corner of the net but keeper Scott Black produced a fine full length fingertip save to deny the Annan striker.
The match controversially tilted in Annan’s favour in the 26th minute when the home side were awarded a penalty kick. Aaron Muirhead stretched the home defence with a long penetrating ball to the edge of the penalty area and Lewis Sloan did well to control the ball with his shoulder before being brought down in the box and Mike Jack made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Annan finished the half on the attack and a snap shot from Lewis Sloan tested keeper Scott Black followed by a dangerous Lewis Sloan corner
The visitors started the second half with more purpose, Ian Watt tested Summersgill in the 50th minute and two corners in the 54th minute signalled the Spiders intentions. Watt once again made space for himself down the right finishing with a confident drive which Summersgill confidently saved.
Queens pushed hard for an opening against a resolute Annan defence and Paul Harkins had a 67th minute drive which flashed past the upright and two minutes later Annan had a let-off when Watt latched on to a cross ball which left Summersgill’s in 2 minds and with Watts shot heading for the net Peter Watson saved the day for Annan with a goal line clearance.
It was the closest Queens came to scoring and with time running out Annan substitute Steven Sloan won his way into the penalty box only to be upended, a frustrated Steven Reilly was booked for kicking the ball into Sloan whilst he was lying on the ground, once again Mike Jack made no mistake to secure a second round Alba Cup place for Annan. Queens park’s misery was completed moments later when Steven Reilly was given a second yellow card for making remarks to assistant Chris Young.
Harry Cairney was please with the result, it was not a great spectacle we got the breaks with the two penalties. The players worked hard and the effort put in was first class and all the new players played their part.
Queens Park manager Gardner Spiers was disappointed, the first goal was always going to be important and the decision to award a penalty kick was controversial .
Annan Athletic - Summersgill; Muirhead, MacBeth, Watson, Neilson, Jack, Steele, Gilfillan, Cox (S. Sloan 86), Storey (Bell 86), L Sloan. Subs not used - Jamieson (kpr), Inglis, Jardine.
Queens Park - Black; Ure (Carroll 60), Douglas, Reilly, Brough (Burns 65), Walker, Hamilton, Capliano, Daly (Murray 89), Harkins, Watt. Subs not used - Cowie (kpr), Dunlop.
Attd - 411
Referee - Mike Tumilty
