A clean sheet at Forthbank

ANNAN Athletic kept their first clean sheet of the season and maintained an unbeaten start to life in League Two following a goalless draw away to Stirling last Saturday. It was the hosts who enjoyed a positive start at Forthbank. Russell McLean went on a superb solo run before unleashing a strike which was blocked by the Athletic defence. And the same man headed narrowly wide from a corner three minutes later. Robbie McNab was next to try his luck from range. His effort was blocked but fell kindly for Aidan Cannon. However, visiting shotstopper Zach Balfour was alert to the danger and produced a good save. Annan then fashioned a chance of their own as Tommy Muir latched onto the ball before firing straight at Derek Gaston. In the last action of the half, Binos forward Adam Brown struck the side netting with a free kick. Early in the second period Jack Harkness fired just wide as Stirling looked to take the lead. Athletic then had the ball in the net; but it was ruled out. Paul Smith had sent a low drive into the bottom corner after Tommy Muir’s lay-off. But Muir was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build up. At the other end, player/manager Wullie Gibson came to the rescue as he made a goal-line clearance after Balfour unsuccessfully tried to punch clear from a corner. The big goalie made amends minutes later with a crucial stop to deny Robbie McNab. Tommy Muir’s fierce left-footed strike was then palmed away as Annan looked to snatch victory. Stirling then thought they had won it after substitute Kane Thomson volleyed home at the back post, but the assistant’s flag was up for offside. A late free kick in a promising position was hit straight into the hands of Gaston.