Loons hit back after early spot of bother
David Cox had two chances for the visitors early on but his shot was saved and his header went over.
Annan went ahead after 23 minutes when Max Wright was brought down in the box by Jamie Bain and he got up to slot the ball into the net.
The Loons got back on level terms in the 38th minute when Jim Lister headed the equaliser.
Then disaster struck Annan three minutes into the second half when Callum Home put through his own goal to give the leaders a second goal.
Annan almost levelled on the hour but Rabin Omar’s 20-yard harder was just over the bar. Three minutes later, Jean-Guy Lucas also fired over.
STIRLING ALB 3 CLYDE 0
MUCH-CHANGED Stirling made a great start to 2017 with a convincing win as Clyde’s poor run continued.
Binos boss Dave Mackay brought in five new players after last week’s defeat to Cowdenbeath — and all of them started against the Bully Wee.
Conor Quigley, on loan from Dundee, set up the opener with a perfect cross for Ross Kavanagh to score with a header after 29 minutes.
Albion dominated the second half and doubled their lead in 66 minutes when Angus Beith picked out Dylan Bikey and the French striker cut inside and smashed home a superb shot.
Bikey scored again in 74 minutes when he beat Brett Long with a confident finish after getting on the end of a Darren Smith cross.
Clyde have now picked up just one point from the last 18 but will have the chance for revenge when the sides meet again at Forthbank in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup in a fortnight.
EDINBURGH CITY 0 ARBROATH 2
ALL the early pressure came from Arbroath, with David Gold and Steven Doris going close.
They forged ahead in the 10th minute when trialist Eddie Ferns hit his shot beyond City keeper Andrew Stobie.
Arbroath sub Gavin Malin squandered a great chance on the hour when he scooped the ball high over the bar.
Omar Kader wrapped up the points for the visitors soon after, lashing the ball high into the net following a Bobby Linn cross.
COWDENBEATH 0 BERWICK RANGERS 1
IN the first 10 minutes, Cowdenbeath’s Nikolay Todorov and Lewis Moore had shots which flew inches wide.
In 12 minutes, Rangers had the ball in the net through Gary Phillips’ low show but Greg Rutherford was in an offside position.
Moore brought out a fine save from Berwick keeper Kevin Walker with his low 10-yard shot.
Cowden threatened four minutes after the break when Kyle Miller set up Craig Johnston and Walker had to rush from his line to save.
In 67 minutes, a superb Shaun Rutherford tackle defied Greg Rutherford only eight yards out.
Rangers finished the better side and got the all-important goal in 84 minutes when Michael McKenna’s cross was headed home by Thomson.
MONTROSE 0 ELGIN CITY 3
MONTROSE made a lively start and Gary Fraser sent a dipping volley wide.
Elgin went close in 18 minutes when Daryl McHardy’s header was cleared off the line.
Elgin netted in 29 minutes as a low cross was forced home from close range by Chris Dodd.
It was 2-0 in 40 minutes, Shane Sutherland scoring with a drive off the post.
Elgin wrapped up the points with a third on 87 minutes. Craig Gunn crossed and Sutherland tapped home.