Annan in top three as super Jack nets double
Last updated 16:26, Monday, 15 September 2008
ANNAN stuck gold in the Highlands, lifting three points at Borough Briggs, the home of Elgin City.
Mike Jack was the Annan hero scoring two goals, one in each half. But a controversial 71st minute penalty converted by Darren Shallicker gave Elgin a lifeline to ensure the outcome was in doubt right up to the final whistle.
The opening encounters were open with chances being created at both ends.
In the eighth minute Annan opened up the home defence with a swift move from defence which ended with Steven Sloan releasing the ball into the path of Mike Jack who finished clinically with a shot into the corner of the net.
It was a promising start from Annan and minutes later an Ian Grainger corner fell to the edge of the box where Alan Inglis rifled in a shot into the net but the goal was chalked off for offside.
With half-time approaching Kenny Wright gave the home team confidence when his 10-yard effort looped over the ball onto the roof of the net.
Annan kicked off the second half facing the stiff breeze and in the 50th minute Steven Archibald latched on to an Ian Grainger pass to finish with a dangerous shot over the cross bar.
Annan increased their lead in the 68th minute in another clinical move. Stuart Hill played the ball over the top of the Elgin defence and once again Mike Jack’s deep run from midfield caught the home defence out and he finished superbly with a shot into the corner of the net.
The home team were given a lifeline in the 71st minute when Darren Shallicker’s shot from the edge of the box appeared to strike Ian Grainger on the head but the referee awarded Elgin a penalty and sent off Grainger for deliberate hand ball.
Shallicker blasted the ball into the net to set up a tense final 20 minutes. Annan defended deep and soaked up the home teams efforts and in the fourth minute of injury time Summersgill made a brave save at the feet of Craig Campbell.
The defeat leaves Elgin at the foot of the table seven points behind Annan who retain third position in the well- contested SFL Division 3.
Gretna continued their 100% record with a win over Tynecastle, in the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Goals from David Renyard, Tony Nicholson (2), John Jardine, Dan Carmichael and an own goal, earned Gretna victory.
Gretna now face Vale of Leithen or Edinburgh City in the third round. Gretna’s next match will be the rearranged second Round Alex Jack Cup game away to Selkirk on Saturday.
