In a game both teams needed a win, Montrose shaded the first half and Annan were the better side in the second half as it ended all square in a 2-2 draw.

Montrose started with an unfamiliar line-up with Gill in goal then a back line of Freeman, Quinn, Dillon, McKenzie and Bertie with Freeman and Bertie as attacking full backs. Central midfield was changed with no older players as Machado, Shrive and Sandilands were there to support the front two of Stirton and Lyons. No Masson, Gardyne, Webster, Waddell or Hester for various reasons.

Referee Dan Graves got it started on a sunny day with not a lot of wind but as kick-off was delayed until 4pm it got cold as darkness fell. Annan were first to attack and won a corner which eventually created a shot which was saved by Gill. Another Annan corner at 4 minutes should have resulted in a goal but the attacker hit it over the bar from inside the 6-yardbox. A let off for Montrose as they tried to get more into the game when a Machado shot was saved by keeper Smith. That started a period of Montrose dominance and on 9 minutes Quinn found Owen Stirton with a long ball and he controlled it well, sped down the inside left position and fired a hard shot into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0. He did so well with his pace and determination.

Annan still were attacking at speed themselves but the Mo defence held them well and so well that from a long ball Blair Lyons made it 2-0 in the 19^th Minute. He collected the ball, side-stepped his man, swivelled and hit a beauty into the corner of the net. At a two goal lead it could well have been three as a header just cleared the bar on 25 minutes. Corners for each side followed and both were close but no end product. The rest of the first half was even and Montrose deserved their two goal lead.

Into the second half as Annan made the first change with Hooper replacing Quitongo. Annan then dominated the second half, corner after corner were cleared as the Mo defence got it away. Montrose were restricted to break-aways and could well have made another break through as a Machado shot was saved. More Annan corners were dealt with or spoiled by high shots or hit too long. It seemed Annan must score with the dominance they had and they did that in the 71^st minute. From yet another corner it was hit long and big Tommy Muir thumped it into the net with ease to make it 2-1. Annan continued the pressure as Montrose made their first changes with Watson and McIver-Redwood on for McKenzie and Shrive on 76 minutes. Annan also made a change with Carmichael on for Maxwell.

Into the last 10 minutes and the first yellow card to Montrose as Freeman kicked the ball away. Quinn was replaced by Steeves on 85 minutes then another yellow this time for Watson for a foul. Then it seemed it had to happen for Annan to score the equaliser and that happened in the 89^th minute as another long corner was headed in easily by big Tommy Muir again.

Into stoppage time and Montrose hung on to a point and indeed could well have won with their last effort upfield but the final ball was cut out. So it stayed at 2-2.

Montrose certainly deserved a point but equally Annan also deserved a point for their second half performance. On a positive side Machado did well in midfield, Freeman started his right back role well and will develop more and Bertie has become a more aggressive left wing back so when our missing players are back in the squad there will be plenty of options for our management.

Reporter by Steve Doyle