It proved to be another frustrating afternoon at Galabank as we went down to our fourth 1-0 defeat in our opening eight league matches.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the league campaign it has been fine margins in most of games with us having the second best defensive record in the division but frustratingly having been able to score three times.

For the trip south Billy Brown continued with the same starting XI which had earned a last gasp draw at Broadwood the previous week.

Our first chance of the afternoon came after just two minutes when Connelly sent over a cross from the left but Brad Smith sent his shot just over.

At the other end Watson headed over following a cross from Omar while Omar himself saw a shot saved from McGovern.

Orsi and Brannan then saw efforts drift past the post while Roberts was booked for simulation in the Cowden box.

Buchanan then sent a 17 yard drive just over the Annan bar but it was the home side who took the lead in 37 minutes when Aidan SMITH fired home a free kick from the edge of the box after Omar had been fouled by Syme.

Then three minutes from the break the home side had another free kick just outside the Cowden box when Swann brought down Roberts but Sinnamon’s effort was blocked by the defensive wall.

Billy Brown freshened up his front line for the start of the second half with Muirhead and the trialist forward replacing Morris and Connelly.

It was however the home side who almost added to the scoring with in a minute of the restart when an Omar shot came off the post.

Mullen then fired in a free kick which was gathered by the keeper while Annan saw Smith fire over and a Moxon effort turned around the post by McGovern.

Roberts then fired just over while McGovern saved from Omar before Mullen sent an angled free kick across the face of the goal.

Soon after another Mullen free kick went just wide but in the closing stages Annan came close to grabbing a second goal when sub Henderson shot narrowly past with McGovern beaten.

TEAM: McGovern, Mullen, Swann, A Smith, Rumsby, Syme, Buchanan (Stirling 77), Miller, Morris (Muirhead 46), Connelly (Trialist 46) & B Smith. Subs not used – McGurn, McInally, Denton & Ovenstone.

Booked: Syme (90).

ANNAN ATHLETIC: Atkinson, Hooper, Brannan, Moxon, Watson, Singlehurst (Sonkar 87), Orsi (Henderson 83), Sinnamon, Smith, Omar & Roberts (Luke 90+2). Subs not used – Mitchell, Cunningham, Murphy& Creaney.

Goal: Smith (37).

Booked: Roberts (29), Moxon (70),Watson (90)