A goal 19 minutes from time denied us our first away win of the campaign as we ended with ten men after Jamie Pyper was sent off late on in the game at Galabank.

Not surprisingly after a spirited performance at Forthbank in midweek Gary Bollan stuck by the same starting line up which had went down narrowly against Stirling.

The home side had the first chance of the afternoon with just two minutes gone when Swinglehurst got on the end of an Omar corner but sent his shot over the bar from six yards.

Then with 11 minutes gone McInally sent over a cross into the Annan box which was caught by keeper Mitchell with Malcolm ready to pounce.

Midway through the first half a cross from Cox fell to Buchanan but his shot lacked power and was gathered by the keeper.

With 28 minutes gone we opened the scoring when Miller fed the ball to Brad SMITH who fired home an angled shot into the far corner of the net.

A minute later we came close to doubling our advantage when Cox latched onto a long ball from Swann but his shot went over the bar.

The second half opened with Annan’s Smith bursting through on goal but Pyper made a timely clearance at the expense of a corner.

Omar then sent a long range free kick just over the bar with 54 minutes gone after Rumsby had fouled Henderson.

With 71 minutes gone Annan got back on level terms when Rabin OMAR was fouled by Buchanan and he got on the end of Creaney’s resultant free kick to flick the ball past McGurn.

Nine minutes later we were reduced to ten men Pyper pulled back Henderson on the edge of the box and was sent off.

The subsequent free kick from Henderson himself was blocked by McInally as the ten men held out for a point to bring a run of four successive defeats to an end.

TEAM: McGurn, McInally, Swann, Pyper, Rumsby, Miller, Mullen, Malcolm, Cox (Reilly 89), B Smith (Gilfillan 82) & Buchanan. Subs not used – Penman, Fotheringham, Hornby, Henderson & Luke.

Goal: B Smith (28).
Booked: Rumsby (32), Mullen (63).
Sent off: Pyper (80).

ANNAN ATHLETIC: Mitchell, Hooper, Creaney (Brannan 85), Horne, Watson, Swinglehurst, O’Keefe, Omar, Smith, Henderson & Armour (Salkeld 65). Subs not used – Atkinson, Sonkar, Henry, Roberts & Hogg.

Goal: Omar (71).
Booked: Hooper (20), Smith (69).