A strong looking Montrose starting line-up saw Graham Webster making a first start after a long injury but Aidan Quinn was missing again because of injury and the influential Terry Masson was missing through suspension. Strong looking perhaps but that is not how it turned out. Referee Lloyd Wilson got it started on a fine dry day with a modest wind.

Annan had a free kick on the halfway line but Tommy Goss headed it just past the post from a long way out. The first 10 minutes at least were all about Annan with Montrose penned in their own half until Lyons intercepted a ball but keeper Smith was equal to it and got there first.

That brought Montrose more into it and from a free kick on the halfway line Machado shot high and wide from 30 yards. Another free kick for a foul on Lyons should have resulted in a goal but the ball was hacked off the goal-line and away to safety.

Then disaster struck on 26 minutes as Montrose took a quick free-kick just over the halfway line but the ball was intercepted quickly, Rhys Breen saw Cammy Gill well off his line and fired a 50-yard wind assisted shot into the net to make it 1-0 to Annan. That didn’t spur Montrose into all out action as Annan kept on top and Hester was yellow carded for a trip just before the break.

Necessary changes were made for the second half with Craig Brown and Craig Smith on for Ally Shrive and Kane Hester as the Mo went 3 at the back with Williamson moving more into midfield. Montrose were coming more into it but still posed little threat in the vital area and Annan always threatened to extend their lead if a further error occurred.

Up to 60 minutes with little happening at either end then McGowan was yellow carded for a foul. It can be said Montrose were getting forward in numbers looking for an equaliser but there was no end product. 

Annan made a double substitution on 71 minutes, Lennon and Zaid on for McGowan and Quitongo and for Montrose Watson and Bertie replaced Machado and Lyons. Webster was the only forward now but Watson joined up top. Up to 75 minutes and Annan had two corners both of which Goss headed wide.

Webster was subbed on 81 minutes which had Montrose with no recognised forwards on the pitch – Callum Hannah came on in midfield as Watson stayed up top. Gardyne shot wide from 25 yards, Annan missed a sitter with only Gill to beat but the lad hit it well over the top. Into the last minute of normal time and Dillon was yellow carded as the game finished with surprisingly only two minutes of added time.

Report by Steve Doyle

Post match reaction https://youtu.be/D19eHcyhKik?si=eMdsVCNXh416OzDY