Match Report

 Annan Athletic lifted the points at Cliftonhill on Tuesday evening and moved a step closer to the play offs with a convincing performance against play off hope-fulls Albion Rovers who started well but the home team wilted as Annan gradually started to impose their authority  on the game.

Albion made a promising start to the game but gradually Annan worked their way into the game and it came as no surprise when they went ahead in the 34^th minute after  Kenny MacKay’s effort was deflected for a corner and Andrew Mitchell’s near post delivery was enough to entice Josh Todd to rise above his marker to send a bullet header into the top corner of the net past the outstretched arm of Neil Parry. It proved to be the only goal of the half.

Annan started the second half on the attack and Parry had to be alert dealing firstly with an Ally Love effort which the keeper pushed round the post . From the resulting Mitchell corner Swinglehurst sent in a dangerous header which was only half cleared and Kenny MacKay pounced to prod the ball over the line from 3 yards. It was just the start that Annan were looking for with the second goal giving them the 2 goal cushion.

Albion tried hard to break down the resolute Annan defence but they could not find a way through  and it was Annan who looked the more likely team to add to their early success .

Annan boss Jim Chapman praised his team for the professional manner that they went about their business, “we looked comfortable tonight and got the goals at the right time. The victory keeps our play off hopes firmly alive and for the time being keeps the pressure on Peterhead at the top of the table.”

Annan Athletic  – J Todd 34 min, K MacKay 53 min

Albion Rovers – N Parry, A Reid , R Dunlop, J Flood, C Donnelly, M Dunlop, L Cuisak, S Chaplain,  M McGuigan, D Crawford, G Phillips.  Substitutes not used M Maguir, P Walker, D Kennedy, R Donnelly, M McGinlay, R Tiffney, P Innes.

Annan Athletic – K Arthur, I Chisholm, M McNiff, P Watson, S Swinglehurst, S Black,  J Todd,  A Mitchell, K MacKay, B Henderson ( S Davidson 85 min), A Love ( K Brannan 90 min) .  Substitutes not used       P Bradley, J Moffat, A Mitchell, D Wood and Z Caldwell

Crowd 323                Referee G Duncan                              Assistants  R White and I Stankovich