Football and Rugby

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AITKEN HEADS FOR AYR

FORMER Queen of the South star Andy Aitken has turned down an offer from Annan Athletic.

Instead the 30 year old defender has signed for newly promoted Division 1 side Ayr United.

Aitken, from Annan, has played with Queens and Gretna and was released at the end of the season by the Doonhamers but was always confident he could play for another couple of years in Division 1.

Last year was his testimonial year and he was also enjoyed the thrill of playing in the Scottish Cup Final against Rangers.

He teamed up with Queens skipper Jim Thomson and the centre back partnership delighted the fans.

Aitken, left, swithered about joining Harry Cairney at Galabank but could’nt resist the lure of Division 1 football.

He said yesterday: “I was offered a player/coach role at Annan to look after the reserve side but felt I had a couple of years left in Division 1. It was a good offer from Annan and there wasn’t a million miles between that and the offer from Ayr. But the Division 1 football swayed it.”

He added: “I’ll be up against Queens next season, something I’ve never done in the past. Even when I played for Gretna, I never faced them. It will be something new but I’m really looking forward to it and I’m hoping I’ll get a good reception from the fans.”

Although Ayr will be happy Annan bosses are disappointed to have failed to bring Aitken to Galabank.

Chairman Henry McClelland said: “Andy informed the club that he was going to take up Ayr’s offer which will give him the opportunity to remain in Division 1.

“Despite our disappointment we truly wish Andy well at Somerset Park and in the future we will hopefully see him wearing the black and gold of Annan Athletic.”

DOBIE SIGNS FOR SWANSEA

QUEEN of the South striker Stephen Dobbie has completed his move to Championship League side Swansea City.
The 26-year-old who had attracted the interest of clubs from both sides of the Border has signed a three-year deal with Swansea who finished 8th in the league this season.
Dobbs, a Palmerston favourite said last night: "I'm sad to leave Queen of the South as I felt I'd struck up a good bond with the fans those past two and a half years."
He added: "It's an offer I just could not refuse."
Several Championship clubs including QPR, Ipswich Town and Norwich City had joined Swansea in the bid to sign Dobbie, a prolific scorer with the Doonhamers.
Kilmarnock and St Mirren were also rumoured to be interested in the striker who has 24 times for the Scottish Division One side this season.
Queens boss Gordon Chisholm had hoped to hold on to Dobbie but wished him well for the future.
He added: "Stephen's fulfilled his ambition and will now be playing at a higher level.
"Naturally we're disappointed to lose him but delighted for Dobbs himself."
Dobbie is a former Rangers youngster and has also been with Hibernian, St Johnstone, St Johnstone, and Dumbarton.
After a two-year spell at Hibs during which he was on loan to St Johnstone, he moved on loan to Dumbarton before signing for Queens two years ago.
He has scored 47 goals in his 83 appearances for Queens.
Dobbie said: "I'm sad to leave Queens as I felt I'd struck up a good bond with the fans those past two and a half years."

ROVERS LIFT LEAGUE TITLE

THREAVE ROVERS 4 CRICHTON 0

THREAVE ROVERS are champions in the South of Scotland after thumping Crichton 4-0 at Meadow Park in the title decider.

The sides went into the game level on 67 points but Rovers who have scored 125 goals in their league campaign hit four in the first half to clinch the title.

Manager Davie McVitie was delighted and said: "The boys did absolutely tremendous today to win the championship back.

"We had a lot of games to catchup but we managed it. The boys were tremendous in the first half today and deserved to win. I told the lads at the interval to keep a clean sheet and that's what we did.

"It's tremendous to get the championship back from Crichton who won it from us last season."

McVitie added: "The lads are unbeaten over the last 19 games in the league since Stranraer beat us in January. It's tremendous achievement for the boys."

Scott Wilby sent over a 6th minute corner which Scott Gault headed into the net. Then in 33 minutes Andrew Donnelly fired in an 18 yarder which left the Crichton keeper helpless and five minutes later Scott Wilby shsot home a free kick from the edge of the box to make it 3-0.

Then three minutes before the interval Paul Cook slotted home the fourth.

ANNAN IN PLAY-OFF FIGHT

THE play-offs are looming for SFL newcomers Annan Athletic.
But before they can start celebrating they have to take care of Stenhousemuir tomorrow on the Ochilview plastic pitch.
Up to 200 fans are expected to head for Stenhousemuir, hoping to see Annan move back into the play-off places by leap-frogging their Division three counterparts.
Annan chairman Henry McClelland is not celebrating yet. He said last night: "There will be plenty of time for back-slapping and congratulations at the end of the season.
"Right now we're concentrating on Saturday's match and beating Stenhousemuir. We have to take care of Saturday and then things will fall into place.
"Having to play Stenhousemuir and then leaders Dumbarton at home sets up a great end to our first season. But we have to win at least one of these games to do anything."
The chairman added: "There are several permutations but we just have to go out and see what happens.
"We still have two weeks of the season to go and we're still in contention. Who would have have thought that was possible at the start of the season."
Henry said that despite trying to play things down, Annan were right up there with a chance of glory.
He went on: "There's no doubt about it, we're really in the mix so lets go out and make it a great end to the season. It's brilliant getting to where we are and if we can get through, then all the better.
"I'm just hoping that we can go out and do the business this weekend."
Meanwhile manager Harry Cairney has a full squad for the vital game with the exception of two long-term injuries.
He said: "We're just going into this match hoping we can get a result.and get back up into the top four. We've got to go there and work hard. We have to force them back and create chances if we want to win.
"Stenhousemuir are one of the few teams we haven't beat so far. We've had three draws and there hasn't been much in them. The pitch up there doesn't pose any problems for us so we're just going out get the points, We know it will be tough for Stenny have turned the corner and have had some good results. But it's all on how you play on the day."

TRIBUTE TO QUEENS STAR

HUNDREDS of fans will be turning out this weekend to pay tribute to one of the Palmerston stars.
Queens hitman Sean O'Connor has decided to call it a day and hang up his boots at the end of the season.
O'Connor, a prolific scorer for Queens has been fighting through the pain barrier for the past seven months with knee problems.
Now he is taking the advice of specialists and calling it a day.
Queens take on Dunfermline at Palmerston on Saturday and although it is game which could help push the Doonhamers further up the table, all eyes will be on the tunnel at 3pm, with the hope that Sean will be in the lineup.
Manager Gordon Chisholm said: "We knew it was coming but it still hits you hard when it actually happens. He's shown tremendous courage those past six months.
"Sean's a lovely big lad and all the fans, the backroom staff at Palmerston and his fellow players think the world of him."
The manager added: "He's been playing through the pain barrier with his knee problem since October and was advised to retire then. But being Sean he soldiered on bravely.
"In his prime I'm sure he could have played in the Premier League and, as I've said before, he's the best target man in the First Division.
"He and Stephen Dobbie have been a superb partnership and I'm sure 'Dobbs' will be the first to admit he owes a lot to Sean.
Chisholm went on: "He played a huge part in the Scottish Cup semi-final and scored a great goal against Aberdeen and also gave Rangers a torrid time of it in the final itself.
"I hope to play him at some stage on Saturday and I'm sure the Queens' fans will be right behind him as he's done such a great job for Queen of the South over the  years."
If the Queens star does take the field against Dunfermline it will be his 180th first team appearance.
Sean O'Connor was one of the first to pay tribute to Dobbie. He said: "It's very sad that the 'big man' has been forced to 'hang up his boots' but he's been playing through the pain barrier for some time now.
"Sean's a super guy and a good friend. We've been playing together now for two and a half years and have created a good bond."
O'Connor added: "He's so good in the air, a great target man and he's laid on a lot of chances for me. It's like he does the hard work and I stick the ball in the net. But he's a prolific scorer himself and I believe he's scored over 50 goals for Queens over the years.
He's the reason we managed to stay in the First Division a couple of seasons ago.
"He'll be sadly missed at Palmerston by fans and players alike but I wish him all the best for the future".
Chisholm's big aim now is to lift Queens up the table after wiping away any relegation fears with a 7-1 drubbing of Clyde.
In fact if things go right for Queens, they could finish in third place in Division 1.
The manager said: "It's our last home game of the season and we'd love to put on a show for our supporters. Dunfermline lie just below us in the table, but have a match in hand, so we'll be after all three points."
Queens finished with 52 points last season and took fourth place. Now Chisholm says that if his side win their last two games they could finish in third spot.
"If we play as well as we did in our last three outings we have nothing to fear and we'll be looking to add to those 37 league goals we already have at home this season."

ANNAN ATHLETIC 1-1 BERWICK RANGERS

Annan dropped 2 precious points in the race for the play-offs as they failed to break their Berwick hoodoo. Phil Storey’s composed finish just before the hour mark was enough to rescue a point for the Black and Golds, after Darren Gribben had given the wee Gers the lead with a ferocious 25 yard left footed strike, but couldn’t halt Annan falling out of the play-off places in a game where the home side were left to rue missed chances.

  But gaffer Harry Cairney tried to put the disappointment behind him as he looked ahead to next week’s crunch encounter with Stenhousemuir as he said: “The guys are disappointed and deflated but it is still in our hands if we can beat Stenhousemuir next week. We created enough chances to win but just weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.”

   Annan opened the brighter of the two sides but couldn’t seem to find the cutting edge that had deserted them at Forfar the previous week and it was not until the 22nd minute when Barclay in the Berwick goal was forced into action.

  Storey fed Bell on the edge of the area and the hitman’s instinctive turn allowed him the time and space to unleash a rasping left footed drive that had Barclay scrambling, but the on-loan keeper got down well to his left to parry the ball to safety.

  Annan seemed to have the bit between their teeth as they searched for the opener and after Macbeth had knocked down Hoolickin’s high, hanging ball into the path of Storey 12 yards from goal, the young man from Carlisle uncharacteristically fired his volley well wide of the target.

  Berwick offered their biggest threat on the counter and Annan were nearly caught napping from their own corner on the half hour mark and only a good block from Sloan denied McLaren who had run the length of the pitch after picking the ball up on the edge of his own area and was bearing down on the Annan goal.

  Storey and Bell were proving to be a constant thorn in the Berwick defence but neither could find the all important opener. Hoolickin launched an innocuous looking ball into the Berwick area in the 40th minute and when Ewart made a mess of the attempted clearance Bell pounced on the loose ball 12 yards from goal but once again was denied by that man Barclay as he produced a tremendous reaction save low down to keep the game goalless.

  However, the best chance of the first half came in the 45th minute when Bell’s pin point cross found Storey free in the area 6 yards from goal but his header sailed harmlessly over the bar.

  Annan had failed to learn from the lessons of last week at Station Park and were inevitably made to pay for their toothless efforts in front of goal as the visitors opened the scoring somewhat against the run of play in the 57th minute.

   Bonnar harassed Mike Jack and caught the league’s top scorer in possession before sliding the ball into the feet of Gribben who had been starved of service all day but the front man showed exactly what he could do when given time and space. Watson was left horribly exposed at the back and Gribben weaved inside and out to manoeuvre himself into space 25 yards from goal and he unleashed an unstoppable left foot drive that rattled the inside of the post and into the net to stun the hosts and leave them a mountain to climb.

But the Galabank side's response was almost immediate and Phil Storey again showed what a valuable player he is for Annan as he produced what is quickly becoming a trademark finish in the 59th minute. Outpacing the Berwick back line, he latched onto a ball inadvertently directed towards his own goal by Hampshire; Storey found himself one on one with the onrushing Barclay and showed composure beyond his years to clinically lift the ball over the keepers’ head and into the net.

The home side carried all the momentum and it looked as if they would press on and get the winner. But it was not to be. However, there was still time for Annan to pass up another gilt edged opportunity and this time sub Adamson was the offender with only 4 minutes left on the clock. After Storey had sliced Hoolickin’s low drive into the area the ball fell to Adamson at the back post but the winger’s tame effort floated into the arms of a grateful Barclay in the Berwick goal and ensured that the spoils were shared and left Annan’s play-off chances hanging by a thread.

Berwick manager Jimmy Crease was pleased with his side’s efforts: “I am happy in the end with a point as this is always a hard place to come to and Annan have been on a good run of form. We were down to the bare bones so I’ve got to be pleased with the point.”

Annan Athletic: Summersgill, Watson, Hoolickin, Townsley, Neilson, Jack, Sloan, MacBeth, Storey, Bell (Campbell 59 mins), Dunbar (Adamson 85 mins). Subs not used: Calder, Jardine, Inglis.

Berwick Rangers: Barclay, Lennox, Callaghan, Ewart, Horn, Hampshire, McMenimin (Mearns 59 mins), Bonnar, Gribben, McLaren, Greenhill. Subs not used: Anderson, Forrest, Little, McGurk.

 Attendance: 783
RAYDALE IS FINALLY SOLD

THE home of the former SPL side Gretna has been sold.

Raydale Park as been sold to Irish business man John Moore.

The joint liquidator, David Elliot confirmed that the four acre site at Gretna has been sold to Sawtry (lOM) Limited.

It is believed the company is headed by Mr Moore paid around £300,000 although this has not been revealed by Mr Elliot.

The Fighting 46 Committee which wants the ground handed over to the local community, says the fight goes on.

Gordon Park, a member of the committee, said: "We are still adamant that the ground did not belong to Gretna FC and we are seeking further legal advice.

"We contest that the ground was bought by five local businessmen in 1946 and it has never been sold, despite what  has been said."

In a brief statement Mr Elliot said: "The Joint Liquidator can confirm that the ground at Raydale Park has been sold to Sawtry(l OM) Limited."

It adds: "The purchaser is aware of the local interest in football as well as the social club and Sunday Market."

A meeting of Gretna’s creditors’ committee was held at Carlisle’s Cumbria Park Hotel on Wednesday when details of the sale were announced.

Mr Elliot has been winding up the affairs of Brooks Mileson's former club is also believed to have updated the meeting on what money had been received and how much was needed to meet debts.

Earlier this week it was announced that Gretna 2008, the club that was formed in the wake of the collapse of Gretna FC, are set to return to Raydale Park

Work has already started on the ground in preparation for their first home game at Raydale next weekend.

The East of Scotland Division 1 side was formed after SPL side Gretna crashed last year leaving millions of pounds of debt. The new club, currently fighting for promotion in East Division 1, has fixed a deal with the developer.

The Raydale Community Partnership said this week that over the past few weeks, they had been in discussion with the new owner of Raydale and hoped to be able to finalise a deal as soon as possible which will safeguard the immediate future of the Social Club, the Sunday Market, and allow Gretna FC 2008 to play matches at Raydale as soon as this is physically possible.

The spokesman added: "The Football Club has been allowed immediate access by the new owners and has permission to start preparing the land for forthcoming matches.

"Plans are well underway to bring the football pitch up to playing standard, and more details will be released soon regarding the work required."

Anton Hodge, the chairman of the club, in a statement on the Gretna 2008 website said: "There has been much speculation in the community in recent weeks concerning the sale of Raydale. It has now been confirmed that the land has been sold to a developer.

"The club has been allowed immediate access by the new owner and has permission to start preparing the land for forthcoming matches. Plans are well underway to bring the football pitch up to playing standard, and more details will be released soon regarding the work required."

He added: "A return to Raydale will clearly be a boost to all of us. You may already have noticed that work is underway to get the park fit for purpose. As soon as we are ready, we will let you know. Unfortunately our next scheduled home game against Stirling University has had to be cancelled so our next home game will be against Gala Fairydean on 2nd.May.

"Obviously it would be great to get back to our real home ground as soon as we can, and we will do our best , although at this stage it is too early to say."

Gretna FC was placed in administration on March 12 last year with debts of around £4 million after Mr Mileson withdrew his support following an illness.
Mr Mileson himself was owed £1.8 million as part of a loan to the club leaving nearly £2.2 million of external debt being claimed by creditors following the collapse of financial affairs at Raydale Park.

Now the administrator is considering whether to pursue a claim against the estate of Mr Mileson over an alleged agreement made by him that he would guarantee the club’s debts and liabilities up until March 31, 2008.

Gretna was placed into administration last March and went into liquidation in August.

HELP US CALL TO ANNAN FANS

A CALL has gone out for fans to turn out in large numbers at Galabank for this weekend's vital match against Berwick Rangers.
Anna chairman Henry McClelland has issued the rallying call to fans to give added support to the players.
He said: "I want as many as possible to help us reach the play-offs."
He's urging the fans to pack into Galabank tomorrow for the match against Berwick Rangers, a side that Annan have failed to beat this season.
Henry said: "I think it's the talk of the town at the moment for no one really thought at the start of the season that we would be in this position."
With three games left, Annan are sitting in fourth spot despite going down to Forfar Athletic last week.
The chairman said: "If we can win tomorrow then we are in with a real chance of making the playoffs.
"This would be worth a lot of money for the club with two lucrative home games and obviously the higher up the league you finish, then the more money you get from the SFL payout at the end of the season."
He added: "It will mean a significant amount of revenue for there is also the chance of sponsorship. It could be worth many thousands of pounds.
Manager Harry Cairney has been playing down the play-offs but even he knows the fans are hoping for the best.
He said: "We're not putting pressure on the lads although we would like to finish in the top four. But we face a very tough match against Berwick.
"They may be below us in the league but they've beaten us twice and drawn with us so far this season."
Mr McClelland added: "We are not taking anything for granted but but I think it is going to be a fight for two of the places between ourselves, Forfar and Stenhousemuir.
"Tomorrow is a must win game for us and I'm hoping that the fans will come out and give us their support.
"The people of the town and the businesses have been tremendous but I would ask them to help give us the extra push this weekend."
The chairman went on: "Berwick have proved a stumbling block to us but I'm now hoping it is payback time. Our form against them has been terrible and in fact the last time we lost at Galabank was against Berwick on December 13 last year.
Central defender Peter Watson will be back in the squad after suspension and except for two long-term injuries, Cairney will have a strong squad to pick from.

QUEENS READY FOR SAINTS

QUEEN of the South boss Gordon Chisholm is hoping to spoil the McDiarmid Park party on Sunday.

The Doonhamers spoiled Partick Thistle's Premier chances last week and he wants a repeat dose against St Johnstone this week.

Chisholm warned: "We respect Saints but don't fear them"

"It's a big day for both clubs with so much at stake. It's another tough one and we'll have to keep it tight at the back.

Although we respect St Johnstone we've nothing to fear as we've drawn three times against them already this season."
He added: "They've all been close, hotly contested games and I'm expecting the same this time around.

"But we're going up there with our confidence 'sky-high' after that Thistle result "

The Palmerston boss went on: "I was delighted to get that 'clean sheet' against Thistle but I felt we didn't get enough credit for that 2-0 victory.

"They're second in the table and had home advantage but  we outplayed them."

FOUR-GOAL CUSACK BACK IN FRAME

STRIKER Liam Cusack is back in the running for a place in Annan Athletic's Division 3 side.
He hit four goals for the reserves on Wednesday night as they crushed Mid Annandale 7-0 in the South of Scotland League.
Cusack has been out for six weeks after an appendicitis operation but manager Harry Cairney says he'll be in the squad for today's match against East Stirlingshire.
The 19-year-old was freed by Dumbarton and played and turned out as a trialist for the Galabank side before being signed by manager Harry Cairney.
Cairney says it was a good performance by Cusack who was at Gretna before going to Dumbarton.
Cairney said: "He scored four in the first half hour of the match which isn't bad after making a comeback from having his appendics out a month or five weeks ago.
"He'll certainly be considered for the match this weekend."
The Annan manager has problems for the East Stirlingshire match with defenders Peter Watson and Aaron Muirhead both suspended after the stramash at the end of last week's match against Montrose.
Left sided forward Bob Campbell is likely to be back after playing with the reserves and player and assistant manager Derek Townsley came through a game with he reserves and is likely to feature on Saturday.
Cairney said: "It was unfortunate that both these lads got red cards after a game which we won. The matter has been dealt with internally."
He added: "Getting Derek back will be a big boost and along with Liam and Bob, then we have the makings of a squad for Saturday.
"It will be a very tough match for us for East Stirling have been improving and I think they've won six games out of the last eight."
Annan up to fourth place in the table but Cairney is still playing down the play-offs.
"It doesn't really concern me at this stage of the season. We've got five games left to play and a lot of points can be won and lost during this period.
"The run-in is going to be a tough one and East Stirling seem to have a better one."

DOUBTS OVER O'CONNOR

QUEEN of the South manager Gordon Chisholm fears that Sean O'Connor's career could be cut short by injury.
The Palmerston favourite has been suffering from a knee injury which specialists say could spell the end.
Chisholm has been nursing him through this season and said: "He's been bravely fighting the pain barrier ever since he was carried off against Dundee early in the season.
"Medical advice at that time suggested he should retire from football but Sean, being the person he is, wanted to carry on and that speaks volumns for his dedication to Queen of the South. He's totally committed to the cause and he's certainly not missing games through choice".
The striker who is in his second spell at Dumfries has made 177 first team appearances and netted 51 goals.
He's had several operations on that troublesome knee but has always come back fighting which shows what he's made of.
Chisholm added: "To me he is without doubt the best target man in Division 1. He's so strong and powerful and creates chances for both 'Dobbs' and Stewart Kean with his physical presence.
"He's a big honest lad and gives everything he's got for the club. Even if he manages an hour on the pitch it's benificial, so we'll nurse him along, take one game at a time and try and get him through those last five matches"
The Queen's boss has had talks with Sean and his wife Jennifer around Christmas time and said: "Come the end of the season we'll talk about it once more. We'll take more medical advice and assess the situation again, but if Sean feels it's time to 'hang up his boots' we'll be sorry but accept his decision".
Meanwhile Chisholm is waiting to see if he'll make it for the game against second placed  Partick Thistle this afternoon.
They have then to tackle league leaders St Johnstone next Saturday.
Queens are now involved in a battle to avoid relegation after going down to Ross County on Saturday.
Chisholm is preparing his side for a real battle at Firhill with both sides needing three points for different reasons.
The Jags are hard on the heels of the Saints on the promotion trail while Chisholm is desperately trying to steer Queens clear of the relegation zone.
Queens have won one, lost one and drawn one against Thistle this season and last time at Firhill they had a travelling vocal support of more than 800.
But with a series of disappointing results the travelling fans is likely to be a good deal less.
Chisholm says: "They don't come much harder than Thistle at Firhill. They'll be after every point they can get as they're the only side really pushing St Johnstone in the promotion  race.
"It's going to be hard for us but they're all hard in this league. Anyone can beat anyone and just look at how many draws they've been.
He added: "Our record at Firhill has not been too great in recent season but this is a big game for both clubs as we need the points every bit as much as they do.
"The next game is always the most important one in football."
Chisholm has told his players to put Saturday's result behind them and said: "It's no good feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to roll up our sleeves and get on with it instead of lying down to the opposition.
"In recent weeks we've been our own worst enemy and created our own problems. We've been creating chances and scoring some good goals but, by the same token, we've conceded a lot of silly ones as well."
The manager went on: "We've now been sucked into the mix at the bottom so it's up to ourselves to get out of it.
"We've only five matches left and they'll all be 'Cup Finals' as far as I'm concerned".
Stewart Kean has taken a knock and is rated only 50-50 for the visit to Firhill.

THREE SENT OFF GALABANK

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3, MONTROSE 1
Annan - Dunbar (39), Jack pen (62). Montrose - O'Reilly  (25)
ANNAN are back into the play-off position but it was at the end that the match flared up.
And it could be costly for them with two key players suspended for next week's match against East Stirling.
Three players were booked after a stramash as they headed for the dressing rooms - Peter Watson and Aaron Muirhead for the home side and David Cox of Montrose.
The trouble flared as Muirhead and Cox came off and Watson went in to separate them.
Then referee Steven Nichols issued the three reds after the players were separated.
Earlier Montrose had made the running in the opening stage and went ahead in the 25th minute when dangerman Craig O'Reilly fired in a great shot which appeared to be deflected by Muirhead and keeper Craig Summersgill just couldn't get to it.
Annan's only real first half chance came in 39 minutes and they took it. Lee Hoolicken fired in a fine shot from 20 yards which keeper Tony Bullock could only parry out and Jamie Dunbar was on hand to prod the ball home from close in.
Annan dictated play after the interval and got the equaliser in 69 minutes.
Phil Storey fastened on to a long kick by Sumersgill and as he ran through he was brought down inside the box by keeper Bullock who was lucky to only receive a yellow.
Up stepped leading scorer Mike Jack who add to his tally and gave Annan the points.

Crowd - 617
Annan Athletic - Summersgill; Watson, Hoolicken, Muirhead, Neilson, Jack, Sloan, McBeth, Storey, Adamson, Dunbar  . Subs not used: Calder (Gk); Jardine, Ingllis Bell Batey.
Montrose - Bullock, Stewart (Nicol 77), Pope, McKenzie, Tweed, Crighton, Milligan (Bradley 74), Davidson, O'Reilly (Hunter 88), Cox, Black. Subs not used Kelly (Gk); Sinclair.
Referee -  Mr Steven Nichols.

ANNAN WILL BE READY!

ANNAN Athletic officials have assured fans that plans are in hand if they win promotion to Division 2.
The Galabank side have surprised pundits with their rise from the East League to mounting a challenge for the play-off spots in Division 3.
Although fans are hoping that Annan can reach the top four by the end of the season, manager Harry Cairney says this is not a priority.
He said yesterday: "We can still get into the play-offs but there's no pressure on the players and we're not counting on it.
"We've more than exceeded our target for the season and I've told the players to go out and enjoy their games. If we get into the play-off situation then well and good, but if we don't, we're still enjoying our season."
Cairney added: "We're just trying to win as many games as possible and the play-offs don't really concern me at this stage."
Chairman Henry McClelland said they had to be prepared and said: "Of course if we get there it will be absolutely great but if we don't we've still had a very successful first season in the SFL.
"To be at this stage with six games left is something we never dreamed about at the start of the season."
The chairman said they would take their chance if the play-offs or promotion came along and added: "As far as the ground and lights are concerned, they're up to the standard required. We have a four-year programme for the ground so there's no pressure from that point of view.
"The main concern would be wages and making sure we had a squad that was able to compete in that league. But we're not there and we're not putting pressure on the players.
"Obviously in Division 2 you would get more money from the SFL because of the way the sponsorship cash is divided up.
"It's really exciting to be at this stage of the season and sitting where we are."
Cairney, however, is under no illusions of the task ahead tomorrow with Montrose the visitors to Galabank.
He said: "They are coming back to form and have won three out of their last four games and they are one of the sides still looking to get into the play-offs.
"If they beat us then they will be level on points with us. That's how close this league really is."
Annan will have defender Kevin Neilson back in the side after his suspension and striker Graeme Bell is available again.
But assistant manager and experienced defender Derek Townsley will miss the match and midfielder Steven Sloan is struggling to get fit for the match.
Liam Cusack is coming back after an appendicitis operation but is still not completely fit.