Loons are left looking for improvements as Annan edge first leg

Annan made sure there was no repeat of the 5-1 thrashing they got from the Loons three weeks ago in the league and celebrated a narrow but deserved win at Galabank.

Now Forfar have it all to do this weekend in the second leg of the League One semi-final play-off and will have to show a big improvement if they are to reach the final.

The only goal of the game came in 31 minutes with a header from Michael Mcgarrity, but Annan will be disappointed they head for Station Park with just one goal after dominating the game for long spells.

Forfar came out at the start looking for an early goal and had several chances in the opening 10 minutes.

Their claim for a penalty in the fourth minute after Matthew Aitken was knocked over in the box was brushed aside by referee Lloyd Wilson.

Then Craig Slater’s shot was blocked in the seventh minute and seconds later, he had a 10-yard shot stopped by keeper Greig Fleming.

Gradually, the home side got going and in the 13th minute Tony Wallace’s header went narrowly past the post.

Seven minutes later Stefan Mccluskey broke through, beat two Annan defenders but fluffed his shot.

Mccluskey had another chance on 27 minutes but his free kick was blocked by the home wall. 1 0

Then in the 31st minute Annan broke the deadlock when Mcgarrity got on the end of a Charlie Barnes cross and his header beat Forfar keeper Mark Mccallum.

Despite Forfar protests that the ball went out in the build-up, the goal was allowed – Garry Harkins and Mccallum both ending up booked.

Defences were on top as half-time approached, but two minutes into the second half the Loons got a fright when Tony Wallace saw his shot skim the crossbar.

And in the 50th minute they had an even bigger let-off when Dominic Docherty struck the upright with a shot from just outside the box.

Annan were piling on the pressure now and in the 55th minute Steven Swinglehurst came close with a header from a corner, but the ball went inches over and Mcgarrity saw his shot miss the target.

Forfar’s answer was a right-foot shot from Ross Meechan but Fleming went full length to stop it.

At the other end, Mccallum managed to force out a powerful shot from Owen Moxon on 66 minutes. Three minutes later Moxon picked up a free kick but his shot went over the bar.

In the 75th minute the visitors had a great chance but Meechan’s shot was deflected. Six minutes later Grant Anderson skied his shot.

Annan sub Aiden Smith brought a fine save from Mccallum with five minutes left and another shot was blocked by the Forfar defenders.

Stefan Mccluskey of Forfar with Owen Moxon.