Annan proud in defeat

BACKED by their biggest ever away support, Annan Athletic put on a performance to be proud of against one of the top clubs in the country last Friday night.

Despite exiting the Scottish Cup, after being beaten 5-0 by Rangers at Ibrox, the Black and Golds showed no fear and battled hard throughout the 90 minutes.

The visitors made a positive start in the game, however, it was not long until the Premiership hosts had the ball in the net.

They broke quickly up the park, and Bojan Miovski made no mistake as he slotted under Charlie Albinson.

On 32 minutes Rangers added a second. Findlay Curtis stood the ball up for Miovski who nodded home from close range.

On the cusp of halftime a crossed ball found Tommy Muir ten yards from goal. But the striker got his header all wrong and it fell well wide.

It was the worst possible start to the second period for the Black and Golds.

Three minutes after the restart Kieran Dowell headed the ball into the top left corner from 12 yards after meeting Joe Rothwell’s inswinging cross.

The hosts soon added a fourth from the penalty spot after Scott Hooper was adjudged to have fouled Rabbi Matondo inside the area.

Up stepped Miovski who sent Albinson the wrong way from the 12 yards to claim his hat trick.

Gers sub Thelo Aasgaard then showed real quality on 86 minutes as he made it five.

His free kick curled straight into the top corner, and it would have been difficult for any keeper in world football to keep out.

Moments before the final whistle Annan had their best chances of the match.

Aidan Smith’s header, which looked to be on target, was blocked.

And Hooper’s first time strike from 25 yards was inches wide and rippled the side netting.