Rangers are happy with point from border battle

BERWICK took a point at Annan, a result which keeps them in sixth place in the table, just three points off the play-off places.

Galabank has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for Rangers over the years, so Robbie Horn’s side will be pleased with a draw, especially as they failed to create any clear-cut chances throughout the game.

The one redeeming fact is that this was the side’s fourth clean sheet in their last five league and cup games, a fact which will have pleased the manager.

After a slow start by both sides, Owen Moxon had the first serious attempt on goal after 12 minutes when he shot wide from outside the box.

Robby McCrorie had to save well from Rabin Omar, and just two minutes later Aiden Smith shot wide as the home side looked the more dangerous.

Jack Brannan then fired high and wide for Annan, while McCrorie was forced to save again from Ryan Sinnamon.

Rangers seldom looked a threat in the first half and the home side also started the better in the second.

After Moxon shot high and wide, McCrorie again came to Berwick’s rescue, this time saving from Smith.

Rangers had to wait until almost the hour mark before their first registered attempt on goal, a 35-yard effort from Steven Thomson, which was too high.

On 68 minutes, their first attempt on target, from Andy Irving, was saved by Atkinson in the Annan goal, and minutes later, at the other end, Peter Watson shot wide from a freekick.

In an attempt to try to force the issue in the final stages of the game, Rangers made three substitutions, but they failed to put any pressure on the home goal.

It was Watson who went closest at the other end with just three minutes remaining when McCrorie was forced into making his fourth save of the afternoon, and in injury time, he again saved, this time from Sinnamon, with almost the last kick of the game.

ANNAN: Atkinson, Hooper, Watson, Swinglehurst, Brannon, Orsi (Roberts 73), Moxon, Sinnamon, Omar, Smith (Cunningham 69), Henderson.

BERWICK: McCrorie, Fleming, Fairbairn, Scullion, Godinho, Irvin (McDonald 82), Notman, Lavery (Stewart 82), Phillips, Thomson (Murrell 70), McKenna. Referee: Mike Roncone. Attendance: 442.