FORFAR ATHLETIC 1 ANNAN ATHLETIC 1

(agg 1-2)

Annan boss Peter Murphy was delighted as his side booked a chance to create history in the League 1 playoff final after a dramatic draw at Station Park.

“It’s a job well done,” he grinned.

“We knew coming here was going to be difficult, but we rode the storm and we’re through to the final and chasing what we are chasing.

“On Tuesday, we were excellent and we got the win. Today, we did enough and we’re still in it.

“We have an opportunity to make some history, but there is a long way to go yet.

“It was a hard slog, in tough conditions. I feel sorry for Forfar because it is horrible to go out to a penalty, but now it is all about how we rest and recover for two big massive finals and, hopefully, create some history.”

Forfar, a goal down from the first leg, started on the front foot, and Craig Slater rattled the bar early on with a wicked free-kick.

But it was the hosts who took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute. Slater drove 40 yards to free Thomas Brindley, who crossed to give Stefan Mccluskey a simple tap-in.

Annan began to show more of the form that helped them to finish third in the league. Dominic Docherty broke through after a slip in defence and only an absolutely magnificent double save from Marc Mccallum prevented the Galabankies from retaking the lead in the tie.

That looked to be the turning point until Annan keeper Greg Fleming, not to be outdone by his opposite number, pulled off two outstanding saves to keep the visitors in the game.

Fleming first denied Callum Moore, tipping the midfielder’s curling effort away from the top corner and on to the crossbar.

Just 10 minutes from time, Gary Harkins’ front-post header looked destined for the net, but the Annan stopper flew across his line to claw the ball away with a miraculous save.

The match looked set for extra time, but it was to be Annan’s day courtesy of an 87th-minute penalty. Ross Meechan was spun by Michael Garrity and the Forfar captain felled the striker. Tony Wallace stepped up to stroke the Galabankies into the play-off final.

Forfar boss Gary Irvine was devastated at the end, and said: “It’s an absolute body blow to be honest. So cruel on my players, with the way they played, to take defeat in that manner. I am struggling to find the words to be honest.”