ANNAN ATHLETIC 1 FORFAR ATHLETIC 1           HT 0-1

Annan – G Bell 52 min . Forfar – I Harty 3 min.

The fans who braved the chill of Tuesday evening were treated to an exciting Irn bru SFL3 encounter, Annan played second fiddle to an experienced Forfar team for most of the first half but in a spirited second half performance a rejuvinated Annan took the game to Forfar and were rewarded when Graeme Bells magnificent 53^rd minute strike cancelled out Ian Harty’s 3^rd minute opener.

Forfar got away to a whirwind start but the 3^rd minute goal was more down to a bad decision by Annan’s Bryan Gilfillan who could have cleared his lines but Paul Watson made the most of the opportunity to set up Ian Harty who drilled the ball under the advancing Craig Summersgill in the Annan goal.

Harty almost made it 2-0 in the 18^th minute when Paul Watson’s superb cross field ball over the head of Peter Watson released Harty and his well struck shot was confidently saved by Craig Summersgill.

Annans best opportunity of the half arrived in the 22^nd minute when Graeme Bell’s well flighted cross ball was headed over the bar by Bryan Gilfillan who drifted in behind his markers.

Jamie Bishop connected with an Iain Campbell free kick in the  32^nd minute but Summersgill confidently dealt with the header. Forfar pressed hard as half time approached and Andrew Todd headed narrowly past from a corner kick in the 39^th minute. Barry Sellars was presented with a free kick 28 yards out in the 41^st minute but the effort sailed over the bar.

Annan started the second half with more purpose following a period of sustained pressure Annan were level. Once again it was Graeme Bell who delivered with superb strike form 20 yards which beat keeper Alistair Brown all end up.

Annan’s enterprising start was almost cancelled out in the 54^th minute when Bryan Gilfillans chest back to keeper Summersgill was intercepted by Paul Watson who blasted the ball over the bar.

Annan continued to press for the winner and Bryan Gilfillan hit a low raking powerful shot from outside the box in 59^th minute and in the 70^th minute the Forfar defence was unlocked by swift move down the left which saw David Cox round keeper Alistair Brown but the Annan striker could not direct the ball goal ward.

Chris Jardine then picked out Graeme Bell in a packed 6 yard box but Bell’s header never really tested Alistair Brown and a golden opportunity was lost. Forfar gaffer Dick Campbell made changes in an effort to stem the flow of Annan’s momentum.

Forfar forced a late corner and the ball broke invitingly in the box but the Annan defence cleared their lines to set up another Annan attack down the left where Lewis Sloan was a constant threat .

In the end a draw was about the right result , Annan manager Harry Cairney praised his team for the effort put in and the way they took the game to Forfar in the second half, the players worked very hard and we must reproduce the same commitment on Saturday when we entertain Elgin City.

Forfar Athletic  A Brown, D Mowat, I Campbell, J Bishop, A Todd, K Fotheringham,G Gibson (C Templeman 70 min), I Harty, R Campbell, P Watson ( B Deasley 87 min) , B Sellars ( M Fotheringham 83 min). Subs not used K Gordon and Mat Curtis.

Annan Athletic –C Summersgill, J Steele, J Macbeth, P Watson, K Neilson,  B Gilfillan, A Muirhead, C Jardine, D Cox, L Sloan, G Bell  Subs not used – J Jamieson, A Inglis, S Anson, S Sloan and P Storey.

Attendance - 373

Referee – John McKendrick         Assistants – Brian Templeton and John McCrossan.