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Mid Annandale 2 Newton Stewart 3 MID Annandale entertained third placed Newton Stewart in a league fixture at New King Edward Park, Lockerbie, on Saturday and, despite a sterling display from the home side, they were unlucky to end on the wrong side of a five goal thriller. The match was fairly even in the first period with chances for both sides with Ciaran Boyes in the Mids goal making two terrific stops, while at the other end the Lockerbie side squandered a couple of decent opportunities. Right on the stroke of half-time, however, Newton edged in front when their scorer was left unmarked and powered home a strong header to put the visitors one up. Disaster in the second minute of the second period befell the Mids when a through ball split the defence and allowed their striker to run through and slot home unchallenged. At 2-0 down it looked like the Mids faced an ominous second period but, all credit to them, they came storming back and on 64 minutes they reduced the leeway when young Thomas Crooks netted off the post after a powerful drive from Luke Hammond rebounded into his path. With their tails up now, the Mids piled forward, and, to the biggest roar of the afternoon the equaliser arrived in the 72nd minute when substitutes Euan Wright and Benji Wagner combined with the latter scoring a clever header. Just when it looked like the Lockerbie side might possibly go on to an unexpected win a long diagonal ball eluded the Mids defence on the right hand side and the resultant cross was easily dispatched by an oncoming Newton forward to put them 3-2 in front. And, despite their best efforts, the homesters could just not manage a leveller and the away side went back down the road with all three points. Thanks are expressed to Newton Stewart for a good sporting contest. Mids are back at Lockerbie tomorrow for a league fixture against St Cuthbert Wanderers. The Lockerbie outfit will be looking to make up for their recent penalty shoot-out defeat to the boys from Kirkcudbright, kick off is at 2 pm. Elsewhere, Lochmaben earned a point at home to St Cuthbert’s after the two sides played out a 3-3 draw. Ewan Coates, Connor Graham and Evan Cairns got the goals for the Burgh at Whitehills Park. Lochmaben are at home again on Saturday in the league as they welcome Nithsdale Wanderers to Whitehills.